00:02Tanzania's jailed opposition leader Tunde Lisu faces a treason charge carrying a possible death sentence as the High Court in
00:10Dar eslam is set to deliver its verdict on Friday.
00:14The leader of Chadema, Tanzania's main opposition party, has been detained for more than 18 months.
00:23This is an individual who was merely exercising his constitutional rights to associate with the political party, to associate with
00:33the citizens of Tanzania.
00:34Yet we have seen that the state has gone ahead to arrest him and to charge him with the treason
00:43related charges.
00:43We believe that this case lacks merit and that it is a very clear case of, you know, trying to
00:57silence the opposition.
00:58Lisu was arrested in April 2025 after addressing a rally calling for electoral reforms ahead of that year's general election.
01:08He was charged with treason the following day.
01:12It's a very clear doublespeak by Samia Suluhu.
01:17On one hand, she's saying she's trying to reconcile the nation to bring everyone together.
01:22But on the other hand, she is arresting opposition leaders who are supposed to be the key players in any
01:31reconciliation.
01:31So it's very clear doublespeak. It speaks to everyone that she is not serious when she says she wants to
01:40reconcile the nation.
01:41It also shows very clearly that Chama Chama Penduzi has no intention whatsoever to allow democracy to thrive in Tanzania.
01:50Before returning to Tanzania, following the rise to power of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Lisu had spent time in exile
01:58in Belgium.
01:59It is very, very important for Tanzanians to know that the destiny of their country lies in their hands.
02:07If they allow democracy to be eroded, if they allow their constitution and their laws to be completely ignored, then
02:16they at the end of the day will bear the brunt.
02:19Opposition candidates were barred from last year's election, which triggered protests and deadly violence.
02:28Opposition candidates and the
