Tanzanian Opposition Leader Charged With Treason
By Bloomberg News
October 22, 2026 at 9:26 AM UTC
Source: AFP/Getty Images
A Tanzanian court charged a senior opposition figure with treason, adding to a widening crackdown a week ahead of the first anniversary of deadly election protests.
John Pambalu, director of training, organization and elections of the main opposition Chadema party, appeared in court in Dar es Salaam, the commercial hub, on Wednesday.
Pambalu had the “intention to persuade the public to cause obstruction of the general election” and conducted “endless protests” throughout the East African nation, the state attorney said in the charge sheet.
Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu is facing similar charges, which carry the death penalty, and has been in custody since April 2025. The High Court is due to make a ruling in his case on Nov. 6.
The Oct. 29 election was marred by violence and widespread unrest over the exclusion of key opposition leaders. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the vote with 98% support.
An official inquiry put the death toll from post-election violence at 518 and the government accused unidentified individuals for plotting an insurrection. Opposition groups however estimate that more than 1,000 people died as heavily armed security forces suppressed the demonstrations.
Home Affairs Minister Patrobas Katambi has denied claims of a government crackdown on the opposition, saying the authorities were taking legal action against “troublemakers” to maintain law and order.
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