Tanzania’s leading opposition party announced on Saturday that its leader, Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges, has been relocated to a different prison. This update comes a day after the party reported that his location was unknown.
The treason charges against Lissu have intensified scrutiny of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s human rights record as she campaigns for re-election later this month. Hassan has consistently asserted her administration’s commitment to human rights and good governance.
A representative from Lissu’s party, CHADEMA, stated that party officials had met with representatives from the Tanzania Prisons Service, who confirmed the transfer.
“CHADEMA wishes to inform the public that Lissu has been moved to Ukonga Prison,” said party spokesperson Brenda Rupia in a statement.
The spokesperson for the Tanzania Prisons Service, Elizabeth Mbezi, did not respond to inquiries for comment via calls and text messages.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa indicated that once an individual is charged, any comments regarding their case fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities.
On Friday, CHADEMA reported that party officials, along with Lissu’s lawyers and family members, had attempted but failed to gain access to him at a detention facility in Dar es Salaam, where he had been held since April 10.
Read more: Tanzania Opposition Leader Charged with Treason
Rupia later informed Reuters that the party had not received any explanation for Lissu’s transfer to the new facility.
Lissu, who was the runner-up in the 2020 presidential election, was charged with treason last week for allegedly making a speech that incited the public to rebel and disrupt the upcoming election. He has not been permitted to enter a plea regarding the treason charge.
Last weekend, the election commission announced that CHADEMA would be disqualified from participating in the election due to its refusal to sign a code of conduct while demanding electoral reforms.
Hassan received praise after assuming office in 2021 for easing the repression of political opponents and lifting media censorship that had been established under her predecessor, John Magufuli, who passed away while in office.
