The decision was delivered on Friday, November 6, 2026, by a three-judge panel at the High Court’s Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru.
The court found that prosecutors had failed to establish an essential element of the treason charge, particularly the intention to threaten the government.
However, the judges found Lissu guilty of incitement after determining that his public statements were intended to mobilise citizens to unlawfully disrupt the electoral process.
During the proceedings, Justice Ndunguru explained that Lissu had made the remarks publicly in the presence of journalists, with the intention of reaching a wider audience.
The judge also referred to evidence from prosecution and defence witnesses who confirmed that the statements had been made.
The case arose from remarks Lissu made on April 3, 2025, at CHADEMA’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, where he addressed party members and journalists.
Prosecutors argued that he had encouraged citizens to prevent the October 2025 general election and mobilise rebellion.
Among the statements attributed to him were: “We will block the election” and “we will mobilise rebellion”, which formed part of the prosecution’s argument.
Lissu, who chairs Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), denied the allegations and maintained that his statements were politically motivated rather than criminal.
During his final submissions to the court in September, he challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of his remarks, arguing that the case was based on assumptions rather than sufficient evidence.
“I have been prosecuted because of speculation and the law does not permit speculative charges,” Lissu told the court.
The prosecution, however, maintained that the evidence presented during the trial established the allegations against him.
“We submit that the Republic has proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt and ask the court to find that the accused committed the offence”, Senior State Attorney Nassoro Katuga told the court during the final submissions
Lissu was arrested in April 2025 and charged with treason, an offence that carries the death penalty under Tanzanian law.
His arrest became a major issue in Tanzania’s political environment, particularly as tensions surrounding the 2025 elections intensified.
His arrest, the exclusion of CHADEMA from the election and allegations of abductions of government critics are said to have contributed to protests and widespread political unrest during the October 2025 polls.
Hundreds of people died during the violence. A commission appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan reported that at least 518 people were killed, while the government rejected allegations by human rights organisations that security forces used excessive force.
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