Fresh fears emerge over Tundu Lissu’s safety
By Faith Lagat, July 26, 2026Fresh concerns over the safety of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu surfaced early Sunday, July 26, 2026, after an urgent statement posted on his X account warned that his life is at serious risk.
The post, attributed to an administrator and published on July 26, 2026, said credible information indicates that Lissu’s life is in danger. It noted that the CHADEMA national chairman has spent more than 470 days in detention as an unconvicted prisoner without a fair and timely resolution of his case.
“Credible information indicates that Tundu Lissu’s life is at serious risk. For more than 470 days, Tundu Lissu has been held in detention in Tanzania as an unconvicted prisoner, without a fair and timely resolution of his case,” the X post read in part.
Detention draws renewed scrutiny
Lissu, a lawyer and former president of the Tanganyika Law Society, has been held at Ukonga Central Prison in Dar es Salaam since his arrest on April 9, 2025, following a public rally in Mbinga.
He is facing one count of treason under Section 39(2)(d) of Tanzania’s Penal Code in connection with remarks about the 2025 general election, alongside cybercrime charges. Treason is a non-bailable offence that carries the death penalty under Tanzanian law, although the country has not carried out executions since 1994.
The statement said Lissu’s continued detention has attracted widespread international attention and urged authorities to guarantee his safety, health and well-being.
International pressure mounts
The statement pointed to growing international concern over Lissu’s detention.
Amnesty International has described his arrest as unjust and called for his immediate release. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in Opinion No. 74/2025, concluded that his detention is arbitrary, citing violations of the rights to liberty, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and a fair trial. The UN body called for his release, compensation and legal reforms.
On July 10, 2026, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) urged the Tanzanian government to resolve Lissu’s detention through a political and legal process within 30 days and to release other individuals detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights.
The statement said: “The Tanzanian authorities bear full responsibility for Tundu Lissu’s safety, health, and life.”
Long-running legal battle
Lissu has been a prominent opposition figure in Tanzania for more than two decades, campaigning for democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental freedoms. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt after being shot multiple times.
His supporters have raised concerns over his detention conditions, including continuous CCTV surveillance, restrictions on confidential meetings with lawyers and family members, and repeated court delays.
Earlier prison accounts described his initial confinement alongside death-row inmates before he was transferred to more isolated conditions under round-the-clock monitoring. His constitutional petition challenging restrictions on private consultations with his legal team has been scheduled for hearing on September 16, 2026, while proceedings before the Court of Appeal concerning additional prosecution evidence have also experienced several adjournments.
The statement concluded with the appeal: “Protect Tundu Lissu. The world is watching.”
The renewed appeal comes as international attention remains focused on the progress of the 30-day period set by CMAG for efforts toward resolving Lissu’s prolonged detention.