Tundu Lissu, leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, was charged with treason yesterday, one day after his arrest following a rally in Mbinga advocating for electoral reforms under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election.”

Lissu’s lawyer, Rugemeleza Nshala, described the charges as politically motivated. citeturn0news1 The treason charge, a capital offense in Tanzania, alleges Lissu incited rebellion and called for election disruptions during his recent public statements.

At his court appearance in Dar es Salaam, Lissu was denied bail and remanded in custody. He pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of publishing false information and is scheduled to return to court on April 24.

Lissu’s arrest and subsequent charges have intensified discussions about electoral reforms in Tanzania, with CHADEMA threatening to boycott the upcoming October elections unless significant changes are implemented to ensure a free and fair electoral process.