Sifuna welcomes Tundu Lissu's acquittal, says should never have faced treason charges

In a statement posted on his socials following Friday's ruling, Sifuna said Lissu had spent more than two years in custody over charges he described as trumped up, arguing that the opposition leader was being prosecuted for demanding reforms to Tanzania's electoral system.

"These charges should never have been brought in the first place. Lissu’s only crime was to call for basic reforms to the electoral architecture in Tanzania to guarantee a fair process," Sifuna said.

The Nairobi Senator underscored the importance of the ruling party, saying it would bring relief to supporters of democracy, while urging Lissu and his party, CHADEMA, to remain firm in their pursuit of justice and freedom.

"We encourage Ndugu Lissu, the CHADEMA Party and all our Tanzanian brothers to take heart and remain strong in their pursuit of justice and freedom, in the knowledge that all forces of regression are usually ultimately defeated," he added.

A three-judge panel of the Tanzanian High Court acquitted Lissu of treason on Friday after finding that prosecutors had failed to prove that he intended to intimidate the government, a key element of the charge.

However, the court found him guilty of the alternative offence of incitement over statements urging Tanzanians to prevent and disrupt the 2025 General Election and sentenced him to four years in prison.

Lissu, who chairs Tanzania's main opposition party, CHADEMA, was arrested in April 2025 following remarks made at the party's headquarters in Dar es Salaam on April 3, 2025, under the campaign slogan, "No Reforms, No Elections."