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Tanzania decision to bar and deport several Kenyan activists who traveled to support detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu has sparked fears over the country’s willingness to admit international election observers ahead of the October 2025 polls. The move, widely condemned by legal experts and human rights organizations, has intensified concerns about political repression under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
Among those deported were former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua, ex-Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and activists Hussein Khalid and Hanifa Adan. The group was denied entry at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, with Tanzanian authorities citing unspecified security concerns. The activists had traveled to Tanzania to observe Lissu’s treason trial, which has drawn widespread attention across East Africa.
Legal experts argue that Tanzania’s actions violate regional agreements on free movement within the East African Community (EAC). The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) has condemned the deportations, calling them an infringement on the right to observe public criminal trials. PALU CEO Donald Deya stated that Tanzania’s decision undermines judicial transparency and raises serious questions about the country’s commitment to democratic principles.
Lissu, a prominent opposition figure and former CHADEMA presidential candidate, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with treason and spreading false information. Authorities claim his remarks incited unrest and threatened national security, but human rights groups argue that the charges are politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent ahead of the elections.
The crackdown on Lissu’s allies has fueled speculation that Tanzania may restrict international election observers, further casting doubt on the credibility of the upcoming polls. Opposition leaders warn that the government’s actions signal an intent to control the electoral process and suppress scrutiny. CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party, has already been barred from contesting the elections after refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, citing concerns over transparency.
The European Parliament has condemned Lissu’s arrest and called for his immediate release, urging Tanzanian authorities to uphold democratic norms. Amnesty International has also criticized the government’s actions, warning that the repression of opposition figures threatens political freedoms in the country.
As Tanzania prepares for the October elections, the international community is closely monitoring developments. The treatment of Lissu’s allies has heightened fears that the government may impose further restrictions on political participation and election monitoring. Whether Tanzania will allow independent observers remains uncertain, but the latest crackdown has already cast a shadow over the credibility of the electoral process.