Tanzania Opposition: Treason, Terrorism Charges Escalate

• Tanzania faces a climate of heightened political repression and fear one year after a disputed election.
• Government critics are increasingly targeted with arbitrary arrests and charges of treason and terrorism.
• Opposition leader Tundu Lissu's treason trial verdict is due November 6, following his pre-election arrest for a "no reform, no election" campaign.
• The Legal and Human Rights Centre represents 56 individuals facing terrorism-related charges, indicating a state effort to silence dissent.
• International partners, including the U.S., have criticized Tanzania's human rights record, while the government strengthens ties with Russia.

Government critics are increasingly vulnerable to abduction, arbitrary arrest, and politically motivated charges, including treason and terrorism.

One year following a contentious election, Tanzania is experiencing a climate of fear and heightened political repression, with government critics increasingly vulnerable to abduction, arbitrary arrest, and politically motivated charges, including treason and terrorism. The main opposition party, Chadema, has declared a seven-day mourning period, while the Catholic Church held Masses to honor victims of the post-election violence. Analysts describe the nation as "tense," noting a significant rise in arbitrary arrests, contributing to a pervasive sense of paranoia among the populace.

Chadema has publicly stated that Tanzania has devolved into an authoritarian state, failing to uphold the rule of law or guarantee fundamental human rights. This assessment is echoed by rights activist Tito Magoti, who characterized the country as being in a "state of terror" in addition to a mood of mourning. The government's approach is perceived as increasingly heavy-handed, particularly against those who seek to acknowledge the past violence or challenge the current political landscape.

The Oct. 29 election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan secure 98% of the vote after the exclusion of most opposition candidates, was followed by days of protests that were met with brutal suppression by security forces. While a government-appointed commission reported 518 fatalities, opposition groups and human rights organizations contend that thousands were killed during these events. The lingering trauma from this period is evident in personal accounts from citizens.

Twaha Bomeza, a 61-year-old, recounted sustaining an eye injury from shrapnel during gunfire aimed at dispersing protestors on Election Day, an injury that also resulted in the loss of four front teeth and left him with chronic health issues and an inability to afford necessary surgery. Another witness, 22-year-old Asma, described the horrifying experience of seeing an individual shot in the neck and killed while attempting to flee. These testimonies underscore the severe impact of the violence, with many families still unable to bury their loved ones.

The legal system in Tanzania is increasingly being utilized to target political dissent, with a notable increase in individuals facing serious charges such as treason and terrorism. A high-profile example is the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, whose verdict is anticipated on November 6. Lissu, who was arrested prior to the election for advocating a "no reform, no election" campaign, recently initiated a hunger strike to demand access to his legal counsel.

Further illustrating this trend, another opposition official, John Pambalu, was charged with treason in the past week. Concurrently, Tanzanian dissident Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kenya and remains missing, highlighting concerns about the reach of state actions beyond national borders. The Legal and Human Rights Centre, a prominent civil society group, is currently representing approximately 56 individuals who are facing terrorism-related charges, suggesting a concerted effort by the state to silence critical voices.

Tanzania's actions have drawn criticism from its Western partners, with the U.S. ambassador explicitly stating on X that the killings "will not be swept under the rug." Despite this international pressure, President Hassan, represented by her prime minister at a recent Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, appears to be pursuing closer diplomatic and economic ties with Russia. This shift in foreign policy comes amidst a domestic environment where the state is perceived as highly sensitive to dissent and prepared to employ forceful measures to maintain control.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients with interests in Tanzania should be aware of the heightened risk of arbitrary arrests and politically motivated charges, particularly treason and terrorism, against individuals perceived as government critics. This necessitates rigorous due diligence on human rights compliance and careful assessment of political risk for any operations or engagements in the country.

Source: Original reporting via Agence France-Presse