We, the undersigned leaders, activists, and defenders of democracy and human rights across Africa and beyond, express our ongoing concern for the well-being of Tundu Lissu, Chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, as well as our grave alarm at the recent disappearance of John Heche, Deputy Chairman of CHADEMA. Tundu Lissu and John Heche are courageous voices for justice, democracy, and electoral reform.
We call for their immediate and unconditional release.
John Heche was arrested on October 22, 2025; his whereabouts and well-being remain unknown and the reason for his detention has not been made public. The Platform for African Democrats raises its alarm that this disappearance of Heche by Tanzanian authorities indicates he is being ill-treated and not afforded his right to due process. We call on authorities to demonstrate publicly that Heche is being treated humanely, with respect and dignity. We further call on authorities to present whatever charges they may have against Heche in accordance with Tanzanian and international law and to allow access to him by his family and legal counsel. Failing to do so, we call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Tundu Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, and has been imprisoned since April 10, facing grave charges of treason and publishing false information—charges that are widely regarded as politically motivated. These accusations not only threaten his life under the death penalty provision but also represent a dangerous weaponisation of the law to silence legitimate dissent. The Platform for African Democrats calls on Tanzanian authorities to ensure Lissu’s safety and well-being while imprisoned, in accordance with Tanzania’s Constitution and international commitments, including the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention and the Nelson Mandela Rules. The Platform also calls for the High Court to ensure the rule of law and justice prevail in his ongoing treason trial. The spurious evidence being presented by state prosecutors does not withstand judicial scrutiny. If not objectively considered and decided, this trial will make a mockery of Tanzanian rule of law before the eyes of the world.
As Tanzania approaches its election date tomorrow, October 29, 2025, the Platform calls on democratic governments, regional bodies such as the African Union, Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, and international partners to hold Tanzanian authorities to account for their failure to allow for free and fair electoral competition. The lengths to which the state has gone to silence voices of peaceful dissent and opposition to the ruling regime belies its pretence of being a democratic, open society. We are alarmed by the ongoing abductions and disappearances of other voices speaking out against the corrupt and abusive practices of the state, including Amb. Humphrey Polepole, whose wellbeing and whereabouts also remain unknown following his violent abduction on October 6, 2025. We are dismayed that the Tanzanian people have been denied any credible alternative for president by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Tanzania. We urge the government of the United Republic of Tanzania led by President Samia Hassan Suluhu to allow peaceful freedom of expression on election day and to release all those unlawfully detained.
Justice for Tundu Lissu and John Heche is justice for all who believe in democracy. Let us not be silent when voices for freedom are silenced.