Where is Lissu? Tanzania opposition demands access to detained leader

Tanzanian opposition leaders are now demanding access to detained party chairman Tundu Lissu, saying it is his constitutional right.

The leaders claim that Keko Prison, where Lissu is being held, failed to produce him during a scheduled visit on Friday.

Among the visitors were Deputy Secretary General–Zanzibar Advocate Ali Ibrahim, other party officials, legal representatives, and family members, all of whom were denied access without explanation.

‘’Efforts to see Lissu were unsuccessful after being informed that he was not at the prison. Regrettably, no official explanation was provided regarding his whereabouts,” a communique stated.

The Party is now calling on the Tanzania Prisons Service, authorities, and security agencies to urgently disclose Lissu’s current location.

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The demand follows reports that he may have been moved from Keko Prison after his arrest last week on treason charges.

However, the Prisons Service has denied those claims.

“We would like to inform the public that Tundu Lissu is safe and he is still detained at Keko Prison in Dar es Salaam according to the country's laws and procedures," said Elizabeth Mbezi, Tanzania Prisons Service spokesperson.

Lissu, 57, was last week charged with treason for allegedly urging the public to disrupt upcoming elections.

A former presidential candidate and the runner-up in the 2020 election, Lissu has been disqualified from participating in the October 2025 polls over his party’s refusal to sign a code of conduct while pushing for electoral reforms, according to the election commission.

He also faces three additional charges: accusing President Samia Suluhu of orchestrating efforts to block CHADEMA from the 2024 municipal elections, alleging police collusion with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to rig the polls, and claiming judicial bias in rulings favoring CCM.