Tanzania’s High Court has ruled that opposition leader Tundu Lissu has a case to answer in a treason trial, paving the way for him to present his defence in a case that has attracted significant political attention.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, August 21, 2026, by a three-judge panel at the High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry. The panel, led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, determined that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Lissu to be required to defend himself.
Lissu, who is the chairman of Tanzania’s opposition CHADEMA party, has been in detention for about 14 months in connection with the case. He is facing a treason charge arising from statements he allegedly made in April 2025 concerning the country’s general election.
Prosecutors allege that Lissu made statements at CHADEMA headquarters in Dar es Salaam on April 3, 2025, that were intended to encourage members of the public to prevent the 2025 General Election from taking place.
The allegations emerged during CHADEMA’s campaign for electoral reforms, which was associated with the party’s “No Reforms, No Elections” position ahead of the polls. Lissu was subsequently arrested and charged with treason.
During the prosecution stage of the case, prosecutors presented evidence from 17 witnesses before closing their case. The defence subsequently made submissions challenging whether the evidence presented was sufficient to require Lissu to answer the charge.
However, the three-member panel ruled that a prima facie case had been established.
The court clarified that its role at this stage was not to make a final determination on whether Lissu was guilty. Instead, the judges were required to establish whether the prosecution had presented enough evidence that, if left unchallenged, could support a conviction.
Following the ruling, Lissu is now required to present his defence and identify the witnesses he intends to call.
The opposition leader has maintained his position in the case and has linked the legal proceedings to his long-standing political campaign for constitutional and electoral reforms.
The treason charge is particularly serious under Tanzanian law, with a conviction potentially carrying the death penalty. However, the latest court ruling does not mean that Lissu has been found guilty. It simply means the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to the defence stage.
The case has attracted attention from supporters of CHADEMA as well as international observers. Security was reportedly heightened around the court as supporters gathered for the ruling, while foreign diplomats were also present.
Lissu has been a prominent figure in Tanzanian opposition politics for years. His political activities and calls for electoral reforms have frequently placed him at odds with the authorities.
The latest development means the legal battle will now move into a new phase as Lissu prepares to challenge the allegations against him.
The court will ultimately have to consider the evidence presented by both sides before reaching a final verdict. Until that process is completed, Lissu remains presumed innocent of the charge.
Source: Thepressradio.com
