African and Global Leaders Call for Immediate Release of Tanzanian Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu

A growing coalition of African political leaders, global human rights advocates, and civil society organizations has issued a resounding call for the immediate and unconditional release of Tundu Lissu, the embattled Chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA.

Lissu, a prominent critic of the Tanzanian government and a leading voice for democratic reforms, was arrested on April 9, 2025.

He has since been held on serious charges of treason and disseminating false information allegations that carry the possibility of the death penalty under Tanzanian law.

In a strongly worded joint statement released by the Platform for African Democrats (PAD), a forum dedicated to advancing democratic governance across the continent, dozens of influential political figures condemned Lissu’s detention as politically motivated and a grave violation of both domestic and international legal norms.

“These accusations not only endanger his life, but also highlight the dangerous misuse of legal frameworks to suppress opposition,” the statement read.