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Elections

Tanzania's Election Under Shadow of Repression

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu should be rallying support for the country's election on Wednesday, but instead, he's on trial for treason, and his party is banned from running. President Samia Hassan, who came to power as Tanzania's first female leader in 2021, has unleashed a "wave of terror" ahead of her first electoral test. Abductions, enforced disappearances, and harassment of opposition figures are commonplace, and the media has been muzzled.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tundu Lissu, the main opposition leader, is on trial for treason, and his party, Chadema, is banned from running in the election.
  • President Samia Hassan has been accused of unleashing a "wave of terror" ahead of the election, with abductions, enforced disappearances, and harassment of opposition figures.
  • Amnesty International reports that opposition activists have been subjected to torture, the legal system has been weaponized, and attacks on church members have occurred.
  • Several government critics have been killed, including Chadema official Mohamed Ali Kibao, who was found dead with his head drenched in acid after being kidnapped from a bus.
  • Chadema's assets have been frozen, and the party does not have access to its offices.
  • The candidate of the second-biggest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo's Luhaga Mpina, has been disqualified.
  • Tanzania banned X, claiming it was spreading pornography, and arrested and deported Kenyan human rights activists who visited to express solidarity with Lissu.
  • Police arrested over 500 people who were planning to attend a youth rally in Mbeya last year.
  • Tanzania has been governed by the same party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), since independence.
  • Tundu Lissu, a crusading human rights lawyer, was shot and nearly died in 2017 and has been targeted by the government repeatedly.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 people were arrested and deported last year for planning to attend a youth rally in Mbeya.
  • Several government critics have been killed, including Chadema official Mohamed Ali Kibao.
  • Amnesty International reports that opposition activists have been subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment.
  • Tundu Lissu has undergone nearly 20 surgeries to repair the wounds he sustained after being shot in 2017.

Sources:

  • AFP article by Fred Harter, May 26, 2025.
  • Amnesty International report.
  • Interview with John Kitoka, Chadema spokesperson.
  • Interview with Roland Ebole, Amnesty International.
  • AFP photographs by Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images and Ericky Boniphace/AFP via Getty Images.

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