Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason the day after he was arrested after a rally in the south of the country.
The allegation is related to his national campaign, pushing for election reform under the slogan of “no reform, no election.”
The country was scheduled to participate in the poll in October when Lissu was expected to challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Samia was praised for turning back some of her more authoritarian tendencies after her ex-President John Magufuli first came to power in 2021. But she has since been criticized after some opposition members were arrested and kidnapped.
In a series of public appearances, Lisu has been saying that unless there is reform, there is no chance of a free election within six months.
Chadma Party leaders hope that the composition of the Election Commission will change. He believes that it should not include those appointed directly by Samia.
Authorities described the campaign as an inciting the public from the holding of the general election.
Lissu has been arrested several times in the past.
In 2017, he survived while Magufuli was president, but in his attempt to be shot 16 times.
He then went into exile and returned briefly in 2020, competing with Magufuli in the general election that year. After the result was announced, he left and complained about the violation.
He then returned in 2023 after Samia introduced changes to allow the opposition’s freedom.
Earlier Thursday, police used tear gas to disperse Chadema supporters while blocking party leaders from holding a press conference about Lissu’s arrest.
Some partisan supporters told the BBC that nothing can stop them from demanding election reforms before the election.
“We were surprised that when our rally was peaceful, the police were harassing us.”
“We know that the ruling party CCM is behind all this. We will fight for change before the election.”
Rights groups condemn the use of force and accuse the government of using state institutions to silence critics.
Lissu’s arrest and repression of supporters was an abuse of power, a bar association said, indicating a lack of political tolerance.
Lissu’s treason case has been adjourned until April 24.
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