Tundu Lissu causes stir in court with chants despite heavy police presence
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu caused a stir inside a heavily guarded Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on Monday, June 2, 2025, defiantly chanting “no elections without reforms” despite the intense security presence surrounding him.
The dramatic scene unfolded shortly after Lissu was ushered into the courtroom under tight surveillance.
Flanked closely by heavily armed guards, he appeared calm but resolute as he was tucked into a secure area within the chamber.
The heightened security had been deployed in anticipation of potential disruption, with the courtroom tightly sealed and movement strictly restricted.
In a video by a local Tanzanian TV station, armed officers were seen positioned beside his chamber, while others stood outside in their dozens, anticipating possible resistance from his supporters, who had also arrived at the courtroom in significant numbers.
However, the precautionary measures did little to prevent Lissu’s bold expression of protest.
As proceedings commenced, he raised his voice in Swahili and English, chanting repeatedly that there would be no credible elections unless the government prioritised key democratic reforms. The chants drew murmurs and audible gasps from the courtroom, momentarily stalling the session and prompting a reaction from the magistrate.
Lissu’s remarks are the latest in a series of sharp criticisms he has directed at the Tanzanian government, which he accuses of suppressing opposition voices and dragging its feet on electoral and constitutional reforms.
His actions today come amid rising political tension ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
Despite being cautioned by court officials to remain silent, Lissu remained unapologetic. Supporters outside the courthouse erupted into cheers when they learnt of his statement, while security personnel tightened restrictions around the compound.
All this unfolded during a court session streamed live to thousands across the Swahili-speaking nation led by President Samia Suluhu. Citizens tuned in from their homes as the judiciary fulfilled its earlier vow to broadcast the proceedings live, responding to widespread calls for a free and fair trial.
“The Judiciary of Tanzania has announced that it will broadcast live court proceedings involving opposition politician and Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu, whose two criminal cases, No. 8606/2025 and 8607/2025, are scheduled for mention and hearing on Monday, June 2025,” a local Tanzanian TV station reported.
Lissu, the chairman of the opposition party CHADEMA, is facing charges of treason and publishing false information online, stemming from his public calls for electoral reforms ahead of the October 2025 general elections.
The treason charge, which carries a potential death penalty, relates to a speech inciting rebellion and disruption of the electoral process, while the cybercrime charge involves content shared on YouTube, according to a local publication.
The court previously adjourned Lissu’s case on May 19, 2025, after he refused to participate in virtual hearings, insisting on in-person proceedings to ensure transparency.
His legal team, led by Rugemeleza Nshala, successfully argued for his physical presence in court, reversing an earlier decision for online hearings.
Politically motivated charges
The defence has decried the charges as politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent before the elections, and has called for greater transparency in the judicial process.
Lissu’s case has received significant attention both within Tanzania and globally. International organisations, including the European Parliament, condemned the arrest. This follows a petition by Lissu’s legal team to the United Nations, urging the body to declare his detention arbitrary.
The judiciary’s decision to broadcast today’s hearing live marks a shift toward openness in a case that has sparked debates over political freedoms in Tanzania.
“We are committed to delivering justice that is open, timely, and accessible to all,” said Gerard Chami, Head of Information, Education, and Communication at Tanzania’s Judiciary.
Lissu, a prominent figure, also survived a 2017 assassination attempt and ran as Chadema’s presidential candidate in 2020.
