African Judges forum call for expeditious justice in the case of Tundu Lissu

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

The African Judges and Lawyers Forum (AJJF) has urged the Tanzanian judiciary to expedite the criminal proceedings against opposition leader Tundu Lissu, warning that delays in the trial could undermine public confidence in judicial institutions.

AJJF Members 

In a statement, the AJJF noted that trials involving prominent politicians attract national and international attention, so transparency and speed of proceedings are essential.

Tanzanian opposition leader and CHADEMA National Chairman Tundu Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, and has been in arbitrary detention for well over a year. He is facing politically motivated charges, including high treason, and remains in remand without trial despite international outcry and demands for his immediate release.

The forum warned that “justice delayed could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and the broader justice system.”

"As a continental platform of judges, jurists, and legal practitioners committed to the promotion of constitutionalism, judicial independence, the rule of law, and access to justice in Africa, AJJF does not take positions on the political merits of disputes before national courts, nor does it seek to interfere with the independence of judicial processes within sovereign states." The statement said. 

The AJJF stressed that a speedy and credible decision serves the interests of the accused and the State, while safeguarding the integrity of democracy. 

Tundu Lissu

It also urged Tanzanian courts to discharge their constitutional duty with independence and professionalism, ensuring that trials respect due process standards and strengthen public confidence in constitutional governance.

However, AJJF recalls that cases involving prominent political actors and matters of significant public interest inevitably attract heightened national, regional, and international scrutiny. 

The said that in such circumstances, courts bear a particularly important constitutional responsibility to ensure that justice is administered impartially, transparently, fairly, and in a manner that sustains public confidence in the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

At a time when many African democracies continue to confront complex governance and constitutional challenges, the faithful observance of fair trial guarantees and judicial independence remains indispensable to peace, democratic legitimacy, and the rule of law across the continent.