3 Apr 2025
Lissu speech later cited in treason charge
Tundu Lissu spoke at a CHADEMA meeting in Dar es Salaam about the party's "No Reforms, No Election" campaign. Prosecutors later based the treason count on remarks they say he made there.
Incident
How Tanzania's 2025 election and its aftermath unfolded
Tanzania held its general election on 29 October 2025 with opposition leader Tundu Lissu in detention on a treason charge and CHADEMA barred from the vote by the electoral commission. The commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with 97.66 percent, while protests, a curfew and an internet shutdown followed, and death tolls given by the government inquiry, the opposition and the UN differ widely. Lissu's treason trial reached its final stage in 2026, with judgment due on 6 November 2026.
3 April 2025 to today · 36 dated events · 49 sources
Where it stands now · as of 31 October 2026
As of 31 October 2026 Tundu Lissu remains in detention on a treason charge, has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent, with the High Court due to give judgment on 6 November 2026, according to Reuters and AP. A government-appointed inquiry counted at least 518 deaths, a figure the opposition rejects, and a separate criminal inquiry commission is at work. UN experts called on 29 October 2026 for the full inquiry report to be published.
Next date
6 November 2026 High Court in Dar es Salaam due to deliver judgment in Tundu Lissu's treason trial
6 November 2026 High Court in Dar es Salaam due to deliver judgment in Tundu Lissu's treason trial
In 30 seconds: the turning points
- 10 Apr 2025 Lissu charged with treason
- 12 Apr 2025 Electoral commission disqualifies CHADEMA
- 8 Sep 2025 Treason trial opens at the High Court
- 29 Oct 2025 Election day protests and a Dar es Salaam curfew
- 31 Oct 2025 First casualty figures diverge sharply
- 1 Nov 2025 Electoral commission declares Hassan the winner
deaths counted by the government inquiry518opposition says about 2,000
presidential vote for Samia Suluhu Hassan97.66%electoral commission figure
internet shutdown6 daysaccording to AP
prosecution witnesses in the Lissu trial17of 30 listed, per The Chanzo
Timeline of events
Overview · 3 Apr 2025 to 29 Oct 2026 · click a dot to jump
2025
9 Apr 2025
Lissu arrested after a rally in Mbinga
Police detained Tundu Lissu after he addressed a rally in Mbinga in southern Tanzania and fired tear gas at supporters, according to Al Jazeera, citing news agencies. CHADEMA said he was moved to Dar es Salaam that night, The Chanzo reported.
10 Apr 2025
Turning point
Lissu charged with treason
At Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam, Lissu was charged with treason, which can carry the death penalty, and with publishing false information. He was not allowed to plead to the treason count and pleaded not guilty to the second charge. His lawyer said the case was political.
“You cannot separate these charges from politics.”Rugemeleza Nshala, Lissu's lawyer, speaking to Reuters, Al Jazeera
12 Apr 2025
Turning point
Electoral commission disqualifies CHADEMA
CHADEMA was disqualified from the October general election for failing to sign the 2025 Election Code of Ethics, which the Independent National Electoral Commission required of all parties, The Citizen reported. Reuters later reported that the commission barred the party for failing to sign a code of conduct document.
16 Jun 2025
Lissu allowed to represent himself
The chief magistrate at Kisutu allowed Lissu to conduct his own defence after he complained that prison authorities denied him private meetings with his lawyers, Africanews and The Chanzo reported.
“I have more than 30 lawyers whom I trust very much.”Tundu Lissu, Africanews
8 Sep 2025
Turning point
Treason trial opens at the High Court
The treason trial began at the High Court in Dar es Salaam on one count under Section 39(2)(d) of the Penal Code, based on remarks Lissu allegedly made on 3 April 2025. The Chanzo reported that the judges dismissed his main preliminary objections on 15 September and ruled the charge sheet valid on 22 September.
15 Sep 2025
Second opposition presidential nominee barred
The electoral commission upheld an objection by Attorney General Hamza Saidi Johari and barred the ACT-Wazalendo party's presidential nomination of Luhaga Mpina. Reuters reported this reversed a decision two days earlier to accept his papers after a High Court ruling.
29 Oct 2025
Turning point
Election day protests and a Dar es Salaam curfew
Voting took place on 29 October as protests broke out in several parts of the country over the exclusion of the two main challengers. An overnight curfew was imposed in Dar es Salaam that day, and People Daily reported Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo as saying it ran from 6 pm to 6 am.
29 Oct 2025
Internet shut down for six days
Internet access was cut from election day for six days, according to AP. Foreign Minister Kombo blamed small groups of vandals for the shutdown, according to People Daily. The UN human rights office urged its restoration.
“The internet will be restored on Saturday.”Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Foreign Minister, People Daily (Kenya)
31 Oct 2025
Turning point
First casualty figures diverge sharply
The UN human rights office said credible reports put the dead at at least 10 in three cities. The main opposition party said about 700 were killed, and Amnesty International said it had information that at least 100 died. The government referred to the deaths as isolated incidents, according to Africanews, and called the opposition toll hugely exaggerated, according to Reuters.
“refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force”UN human rights office, via spokesperson Seif Magango, Africanews
1 Nov 2025
Turning point
Electoral commission declares Hassan the winner
The electoral commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan elected with 97.66 percent and more than 31.9 million votes, on a turnout near 87 percent of 37.6 million registered voters, Reuters reported. CHADEMA had called the election a "coronation".
3 Nov 2025
Hassan sworn in at a military base
Hassan took the oath of office at a military base in Dodoma, Reuters reported. Capital FM said the ceremony was closed to the public and attended by senior government and security officials.
3 Nov 2025
SADC observers say the vote fell short
The SADC Election Observer Mission, led by former Malawi Speaker Richard Msowoya, said in a preliminary statement that the election fell short of SADC principles. It cited arrests and disqualifications of opposition figures, internet outages and limits on court challenges to presidential results.
“voters could not express their democratic will”SADC Election Observer Mission preliminary statement, IOL
5 Nov 2025
African Union observers say polls did not comply
The AU Election Observation Mission, led by former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the polls did not comply with AU principles. It reported ballot stuffing, restrictions on observers and an internet blackout, and said it regretted the loss of lives.
“did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations”AU Election Observation Mission preliminary statement, Capital FM (Kenya)
5 Nov 2025
EAC observers urge peace and dialogue
The East African Community mission of 67 observers, led by former Ugandan Vice-President Speciosa Kazibwe, said most polling stations opened on time and security personnel did not intimidate voters, according to the state-owned Daily News. It noted violence in parts of Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. A Pan African Visions analysis said the statement did not address the internet blackout.
“maintain peace and embrace dialogue”Speciosa Kazibwe, head of the EAC observer mission, Daily News (Tanzania)
7 Nov 2025
Turning point
Scores of protesters charged with treason
Reuters reported at least 145 people charged with treason, citing court documents, while AP cited a charge sheet accusing at least 76 of intending to obstruct the 29 October election. CHADEMA and rights activists said more than 1,000 people were killed, a figure the government rejected without giving its own.
8 Nov 2025
Arrest warrants for opposition officials
Tanzanian authorities had charged hundreds of people with treason, and police issued arrest warrants for CHADEMA secretary-general John Mnyika and communications director Brenda Rupia, Reuters reported. The Catholic Church in Tanzania said hundreds were likely killed, while CHADEMA said more than 1,000 were.
11 Nov 2025
UN rights chief cites reports of hundreds killed
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said information from multiple sources suggested hundreds were killed, which the UN could not verify. He cited reports that security forces removed bodies to undisclosed locations and called for Lissu's release.
“I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing”Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (republished by GlobalSecurity.org)
14 Nov 2025
Turning point
Hassan announces inquiry and asks for leniency
Opening parliament in Dodoma, Hassan announced an investigation into the unrest and directed the Director of Public Prosecutions and security agencies to review the cases of arrested young people. The BBC reported at least 240 people had been charged with treason.
18 Nov 2025
Commission of inquiry named
The government named a commission of inquiry chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman to examine the causes and circumstances of the unrest during and after the 29 October election.
24 Nov 2025
Prosecutors begin dropping treason charges
The Director of Public Prosecutions began withdrawing election-related treason charges, with 139 people freed in Mwanza, The Citizen reported. The Chanzo reported that the DPP went on to drop charges against hundreds of people.
4 Dec 2025
United States reviews its relationship
The US State Department said it was comprehensively reviewing its relationship with the government of Tanzania over repression and violence against civilians. Days earlier, Hassan had described the violence as an attempted coup and accused Western nations, religious leaders and opposition figures of interfering in internal affairs, NPR reported.
“The future of our bilateral relationship with the Government of Tanzania will be based on its actions.”Thomas Pigott, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Citizen Digital
9 Dec 2025
Heavy security on Independence Day
Streets in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha were mostly empty as police patrolled ahead of planned protests, AP reported. The government cancelled Independence Day celebrations, and Human Rights Watch said at least 10 people had been arrested since mid-November over social media posts about the protests.
2026
15 Jan 2026
Hassan expresses regret over internet shutdown
Speaking to diplomats in Dodoma, Hassan expressed sympathy for the internet shutdown and service restrictions they experienced and said the government would work to prevent a repeat, while defending the measures as necessary, AP reported.
23 Feb 2026
UN working group calls Lissu's detention arbitrary
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in Opinion No. 74/2025, found Lissu's detention arbitrary and asked the government to release him and pay compensation. The opinion did not end the domestic case.
23 Apr 2026
Turning point
Inquiry reports at least 518 deaths
The Othman commission reported at least 518 deaths and 2,390 people wounded, including 120 police officers, AFP and AP reported. AP said more than 800 had gunshot wounds and 245 people remained unaccounted for. The commission ruled out mass graves, and Othman said the protests were planned and coordinated by people who had been recruited and trained, according to AP.
“not final and conclusive”Mohamed Chande Othman, commission chair, on the death toll, Africanews (AFP)
25 Apr 2026
Opposition rejects the inquiry report
CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo rejected the report, AFP reported. Opposition and religious groups say thousands were killed, and Western diplomats estimated 1,000 to 2,000 deaths, according to AFP.
“It's all a cover-up actually.”John Kitoka, CHADEMA head of foreign affairs, Africanews (AFP)
18 May 2026
Special criminal inquiry commission appointed
Hassan appointed a special criminal inquiry commission chaired by Court of Appeal judge Shabani Ally Lila, with three retired High Court judges, to determine those involved in planning, coordinating and financing the violence, The Chanzo and The Citizen reported. It followed a recommendation in the Othman report.
10 Aug 2026
Treason trial resumes after appeal ruling
The trial resumed with testimony from police witness ACP Amin Mahamba, The Citizen reported. It had been stayed since February while the prosecution sought a Court of Appeal revision, which that court dismissed on 30 July, according to The Chanzo.
17 Aug 2026
Prosecution closes its case
The prosecution closed its case after 17 witnesses testified. The Chanzo reported that 30 had been listed. Lissu argued there was no case to answer.
21 Aug 2026
Turning point
Court rules Lissu has a case to answer
A three-judge High Court bench presided over by Judge Dunstan Ndunguru ruled that Lissu must present a defence. Lissu asked the court to summon senior officials, including President Hassan, as witnesses, AFP reported.
“The court rules that the prosecution established a case which the accused needs to answer.”Judge Dunstan Ndunguru, Citizen Digital (AFP)
18 Sep 2026
Lissu closes his defence
Lissu closed his defence on 18 September. Africanews reported that three senior security officials he sought as witnesses declined to testify. The Chanzo reported that Lissu said the Director of Criminal Investigations had declined and that summonses for the police chief and the defence forces chief could not be served because they were abroad.
28 Sep 2026
Final submissions
Lissu made his final submission from 23 to 28 September, asking for an unbiased and courageous verdict. The prosecution was due to reply on 29 September and says its evidence meets the legal threshold.
“I am a patriot. I am not a traitor.”Tundu Lissu, The Chanzo
27 Oct 2026
Brief hunger strike over lawyer access
Lissu refused food in prison over access to his lawyers, his party and lawyer said. Accounts differ on whether it began on 26 or 27 October, and his lawyer told AP it ended on 27 October. The prisons service denied he was on hunger strike. Judgment is due on 6 November.
29 Oct 2026
Opposition marks the anniversary with mourning
CHADEMA declared seven days of mourning from 29 October to 4 November to mark a year since the election, AP reported. On the anniversary the Catholic Church held masses for the victims and Dar es Salaam's streets were quiet under a heavy police presence, AFP reported. CHADEMA puts the death toll at about 2,000, which the UN said it could not verify, against the inquiry's figure of at least 518.
29 Oct 2026
UN experts urge release of the full inquiry report
UN human rights experts said the public summary of the inquiry report gave no findings on perpetrators or individual accountability and called for the full report to be published. They said no state officials had been charged a year after the violence and that the second commission had no detailed public mandate.
Sources
49 records, ranked by type- 1News report21 Aug 2026Tundu Lissu treason trial, a day-by-day timeline of the case that led to Friday's case-to-answer rulingThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 2News report10 Apr 2025Tanzania opposition party leader Tundu Lissu charged with treason
Al Jazeera · aljazeera.com - 3News report12 Apr 2025Tanzania's opposition party Chadema disqualified from 2025 electionThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 4News report16 Jun 2025Tanzanian opposition leader to represent himself in treason trial
Africanews · africanews.com - 5News report22 Sep 2025Tanzania's High Court delivers key ruling today in Lissu treason caseThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 6News report15 Sep 2025Tanzania opposition presidential candidate barred for second timeDevdiscourse (Reuters) · devdiscourse.com
- 7News report15 Sep 2025Tanzania's electoral body upholds AG's objection, bars opposition candidate Mpina from presidential raceThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 8News report31 Oct 2025United Nations rights office alarmed by killings in Tanzania protests Africanews · africanews.com
- 9News reportOct 2025Tanzania election results to be announced as protests intensify
People Daily (Kenya) · peopledaily.digital - 10News reportNov 2025Tanzania's Hassan declared landslide winner in election marred by violenceDaily Monitor (Reuters) · monitor.co.ug
- 11News reportNov 2025President Samia wins Tanzania poll with 98pc amidst protests
Nation (Reuters) · nation.africa - 12News report3 Nov 2025SADC says Tanzania election fell short, Suluhu sworn in
Capital FM (Kenya) · capitalfm.co.ke - 13News report3 Nov 2025SADC says Tanzania's 2025 elections not free or fairIOL · iol.co.za
- 14News report3 Nov 2025Tanzania's Hassan sworn into office after deadly election violenceThe Star, Malaysia (Reuters) · thestar.com.my
- 15News report6 Nov 2025AU declares Tanzania's election flawed and undemocratic Capital FM (Kenya) · capitalfm.co.ke
- 16News report6 Nov 2025African Union monitors say Tanzanian poll did not meet international standards Africanews · africanews.com
- 17News report7 Nov 2025Maintain peace, embrace dialogueDaily News (Tanzania) · dailynews.co.tz
- 18News reportNov 2025Silence as complicity, how the EAC quietly watched Tanzania's 2025 election unravelPan African Visions · panafricanvisions.com
- 19News report7 Nov 2025Tanzania charges dozens with treason over election protests Al Jazeera · aljazeera.com
- 20News report8 Nov 2025Tanzania charges hundreds with treason and issues arrest warrants for more opposition figuresArab News (Reuters) · arabnews.com
- 21Official record11 Nov 2025Tanzania, election-related killings and other violations must be investigated, says Türk
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (republished by GlobalSecurity.org) · globalsecurity.org - 22News report12 Nov 2025UN believes hundreds were killed in Tanzania election protestsTimesLIVE · timeslive.co.za
- 23News report15 Nov 2025Tanzania president promises probe into election protest deathsThe Namibian (BBC) · namibian.com.na
- 24News report14 Nov 2025Tanzania issues a pardon to all youth facing treason chargesDaily News (Tanzania) · dailynews.co.tz
- 25News report18 Nov 2025Tanzania names Independent Commission of Inquiry for Oct 29 ElectionsDaily News (Tanzania) · dailynews.co.tz
- 26News report18 Nov 2025Samia forms commission to investigate October 29 election violenceThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 27News report25 Nov 2025139 freed as DPP starts dropping election-related treason chargesThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 28News report27 Jan 2026Families plead for mercy as nine youths remain in custody on treason chargesThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 29News report4 Dec 2025U.S to review relationship with Tanzania after election violence
Citizen Digital · citizen.digital - 30News reportDec 2025U.S. reconsiders Tanzania ties after deadly post-election crackdown
NPR · npr.org - 31News report9 Dec 2025Tanzanian cities are empty as police patrol streets following calls for protestsStar Tribune (AP) · startribune.com
- 32News report15 Jan 2026Tanzania president remorseful over internet shutdown on election dayYahoo News (AP) · yahoo.com
- 33News report24 Feb 2026UN body rules Tundu Lissu's detention arbitrary, demands immediate releaseThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 34News report23 Apr 2026Tanzania postelection inquiry shows 518 people died in last year's violence
ABC News (AP) · abcnews.com - 35News report25 Apr 2026Tanzania opposition rejects commission report into election violence Africanews (AFP) · africanews.com
- 36News report23 Apr 2026Commission says 518 killed in election-related violence in Tanzania, majority from gunshotsThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 37News report19 May 2026President Samia appoints special criminal commission to probe election violenceThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 38News report19 May 2026Samia forms new criminal inquiry commission into 2025 election violenceThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 39News report11 Aug 2026Witness' testimony sparks row as Lissu treason trial resumesThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 40News report30 Jul 2026Court of Appeal deals blow to prosecution, dismisses revision bid in Lissu treason trialThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 41News report21 Aug 2026Tanzania court rules opposition leader has case to answer in treason trial Citizen Digital (AFP) · citizen.digital
- 42News report21 Aug 2026Lissu has case to answer in treason trial, High Court of Tanzania rulesThe Citizen (Tanzania) · thecitizen.co.tz
- 43News report18 Sep 2026Tundu Lissu closes defence after saying DCI Kingai will not testifyThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 44News report25 Sep 2026Tanzanian opposition leader urges courageous verdict in treason trialGhanaian Times (Africanews) · ghanaiantimes.com.gh
- 45News report28 Sep 2026Lissu completes final defence, tells judges treason charge ends in conviction or acquittalThe Chanzo · thechanzo.com
- 46News report27 Oct 2026Jailed Tanzanian opposition leader begins hunger strike
Daily Maverick (Reuters) · dailymaverick.co.za - 47News report27 Oct 2026Tanzania's jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu ends brief hunger strike Al Jazeera (AP) · aljazeera.com
- 48News report29 Oct 2026A year after Tanzania's bloody election, victims still await justice Africanews (AFP) · africanews.com
- 49Official record29 Oct 2026Tanzania, concealing inquiry findings undermines right to truth and fuels impunity, say UN expertsUN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders · srdefenders.org
Last updated 31 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.