Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu challenges the Republic's treason charges, declaring his readiness to expose details of the contested October 2025 election.

The corridors of justice in Dar es Salaam are bracing for a seismic legal confrontation. The treason trial of Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu is escalating into a high-stakes political tribunal.

Facing severe charges under the Penal Code, Lissu has aggressively pushed back against the Republic's attempts to introduce new evidence. He has thrown down the gauntlet, threatening to utilize the courtroom to expose the violence and controversy surrounding the October 2025 General Election.

A High-Stakes Legal Battle

The core of the current legal skirmish revolves around the prosecution's notice to amend the charge sheet by incorporating new, election-related statements allegedly made by the opposition leader. The state accuses Lissu of inciting public rebellion and persuading citizens to disrupt the voting process. They allege his rhetoric was designed to forcefully pressure the Head of State, constituting acts of treason.

Lissu's legal team vehemently opposes this move, characterizing it as a "backdoor manoeuvre." They argue that the state is attempting to illegally alter the parameters of the trial under Section 308 of the Penal Code. Lissu contends that accepting this new evidence will inevitably force the trial to examine the deeply contested events of the election itself, fundamentally shifting the focus from his alleged words to the state's actions during the polls.

Threatening Global Exposure

In a dramatic address to the judges, Lissu warned of the profound consequences of allowing the new evidence. He stated that if the door is opened to discuss the election period, he is fully prepared to present testimonies regarding alleged atrocities, including multiple deaths that occurred during the political unrest. He boldly challenged the judiciary, declaring his readiness to ensure "the world will know" the unvarnished truth of the October 29 events.

• The Charge: Treason under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code for allegedly attempting to prevent the 2025 election.
• The Dispute: The Republic's attempt to introduce new, election-related evidence to the charge sheet.
• The Counter-Threat: Lissu vows to use the trial to expose state-sponsored violence and electoral malfeasance to a global audience.

This defiance is characteristic of Lissu, a seasoned political survivor who has previously endured assassination attempts and forced exile. By threatening to turn his defense into an indictment of the state's electoral conduct, he is raising the political cost of the trial exponentially. He is effectively weaponizing the state's prosecution against itself.

Implications for Tanzanian Democracy

The outcome of this legal procedural dispute will have massive implications for Tanzania's political climate. A decision to admit the evidence could transform the trial into a protracted, highly public examination of the nation's democratic integrity. Conversely, rejecting it may be seen as an attempt to suppress uncomfortable truths.

As the legal arguments intensify, the case transcends the fate of one man; it has become a critical stress test for the independence of the Tanzanian judiciary and the future of political dissent in East Africa.

"If you open that door, we will talk about who killed. If you accept this notice, I am ready to continue, and the world will know."