Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, reappeared in court on Tuesday for his ongoing treason trial, where he raised multiple procedural objections and challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
The proceedings, scheduled to continue on Wednesday when prosecutors will conclude their responses to Lissu’s objections, come ahead of the October 29, 2025, general election from which Lissu’s CHADEMA party has been barred.
Lissu, who is representing himself, spent much of the session questioning various aspects of the legal proceedings. He argued that the court lacked proper jurisdiction and alleged several procedural irregularities in the handling of the case since his arrest in April.
The opposition leader claimed that witness protection orders issued by the High Court had been violated, stating that personal information about prosecution witnesses had been included in court documents.
READ MORE: ‘I Will Defend Myself’: Tanzanian Politician Tundu Lissu’s Treason Ordeal Begins
Lissu also questioned the authority of the presiding magistrate, Franco Kiswaga, alleging that orders issued by the magistrate during the committal trial at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate Court conflicted with those from High Court Judge Hussein Mtembwa regarding witness protection procedures.
He claimed this represented an unprecedented situation in his three decades of legal practice.
The defendant raised concerns about court record-keeping, alleging that some dates in official documents had been altered and that he had not received all necessary legal documents. He specifically referenced discrepancies between records from different court sessions and questioned the timing of various procedural steps.
During the proceedings, there were several interruptions, including technical difficulties with the court’s audio system. Lissu made observations about changes in courtroom security arrangements and noted the behaviour of prison guards and court officials.
In one particularly telling moment, a police officer’s mobile phone began playing the popular Tanzanian song Bonge la Dada, causing visible embarrassment and highlighting the informal atmosphere that had developed in the courtroom.
READ MORE: Tanzania’s 2025 Elections: As Campaigns Begin, Main Opposition Party CHADEMA Fights for Its Survival
Prosecutor Nassoro Katuga, leading a team of seven lawyers, objected to several of Lissu’s arguments, maintaining that the court has proper jurisdiction and that the defendant’s challenges lack legal merit. The prosecution argued that Lissu was introducing irrelevant matters and requested the court to control his submissions.
The case has attracted significant attention on social media, with detailed accounts of the proceedings being shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Several users provided extensive real-time coverage of the court session, which generated thousands of views and widespread discussion online.
The social media coverage has effectively circumvented the court’s media restrictions, ensuring that the public remains informed about the proceedings despite official attempts to limit coverage.
Lissu faces charges of treason and three counts of publishing false information under cybercrime laws. The charges relate to speeches he made during his party’s No Reforms, No Elections campaign, which called for electoral system changes ahead of the October 29 polls. If convicted of treason, he could face the death penalty.
The 56-year-old politician, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and came second in Tanzania’s 2020 presidential election, was arrested in April while conducting public rallies in southern Tanzania. His party, CHADEMA, was subsequently barred from participating in the upcoming election after refusing to sign what officials called an electoral code of conduct.
READ MORE: Tanzanian Court Bans Live Broadcast of Treason Trial Against CHADEMA Leader Tundu Lissu
International human rights organisations have criticised Lissu’s detention and called for his release. The case has also drawn attention from regional bodies, with some East African activists who attempted to observe the proceedings being deported upon arrival in Tanzania.
Authorities maintain that the charges are legitimate and that encouraging citizens to boycott elections constitutes an act of treason. Officials have denied claims that the case is politically motivated.
The trial has attracted significant international attention, with human rights organisations, diplomatic missions, and international media closely monitoring the proceedings.
On Wednesday, prosecutors are expected to complete their responses to the various procedural challenges raised by Lissu. Following this, Lissu will have an opportunity to provide a rejoinder before the court determines how to proceed with the outstanding issues he has raised.
The trial is being closely watched as a test of Tanzania’s judicial system and democratic institutions ahead of the October election. The ruling CCM party has governed Tanzania for over six decades, and the current proceedings have intensified debate about the state of political opposition in the East African nation.
Court proceedings are scheduled to resume at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
