Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu…..Photo/courtesy
By Peter Mwibanda | Intellectual Post | Sept. 20, 2025
DODOMA, Tanzania (IP)
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has accused the government of resorting to “Star Chamber”-style proceedings in his ongoing treason case, warning that the court’s handling undermines constitutional guarantees of a fair and transparent trial.
Lissu, a senior official in the opposition CHADEMA party and a former presidential candidate has faced treason charges since earlier this year.
The case stems from public statements he and party colleagues made disputing the legitimacy of the current administration and calling for nationwide protests.
The High Court has imposed a series of restrictions on the trial, including witness anonymity, media blackout orders, and virtual hearings — measures Lissu argues amount to secretive, politically motivated justice.
“We are witnessing a legal process that resembles a modern-day Star Chamber — secret witnesses, concealed identities, and public blackout,” Lissu told reporters outside court. “This is not justice; it’s political persecution wearing a legal mask.”
What Is a Star Chamber?
The “Star Chamber” was an English court abolished in the 17th century, infamous for its secret proceedings and arbitrary rulings against political dissenters.
In modern usage, the term is shorthand for legal processes that lack transparency and deny defendants basic rights — a comparison Lissu and his lawyers say fits his case.
Restrictions at the Heart of the Dispute
Central to the controversy are court orders granting anonymity to civilian witnesses allowing pseudonyms and concealing identifying details from the public.
The court has also banned live broadcasts of the proceedings and restricted media reporting on witness testimony.
State prosecutor Daudi Kweka defended the measures, citing the Witness Protection Rules, which empower courts to shield participants in sensitive cases.
“The court must balance the rights of the accused with the safety of witnesses,” Kweka said. “These measures are legal and necessary in a national security matter.”
CHADEMA leaders argue the rules are being selectively applied to suppress scrutiny and limit the opposition’s defense.
Legal Rights vs. Witness Protections
Representing himself, Lissu contends that the anonymity rules cripple his defense by making it impossible to properly cross-examine accusers.
Legal analysts note that Tanzania’s Constitution — along with international treaties the country has ratified — guarantees a fair and public trial including the right to confront witnesses.
“Anonymous testimony should be the exception, not the rule,” said Fatma Makongoro, a Dar es Salaam-based constitutional lawyer. “Especially in political cases, transparency is vital to prevent protective rules from masking weak or fabricated evidence.”
Political and International Fallout
The treason charges come as political tensions mount ahead of Tanzania’s 2025 general elections.
Lissu, who survived a 2017 assassination attempt and later spent years in exile, has accused the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of orchestrating politically driven arrests to weaken the opposition.
Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have urged Tanzanian authorities to uphold due process and safeguard freedom of expression.
“This case is a litmus test for Tanzania’s democracy,” said Asha Mwakasege, a political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. “If political speech is branded as treason and tried in secrecy, justice itself is compromised.”
What’s Next
The High Court is expected to hear motions on evidence disclosure and whether Lissu will be granted full access to witness dossiers.
For now, he remains in remand custody, vowing to fight not only for his freedom but also for what he calls “the soul of Tanzanian democracy.”
