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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2690(RSP))

On the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania

B-10-2025-0262

on behalf of the ESN Group · Rapporteur: Tomasz Froelich

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This resolution expresses concern over the arrest of Tundu Lissu and the disqualification of Chadema from the 2025 elections, and calls on Tanzanian authorities to ensure justice for politically motivated disappearances and murders. It respects Tanzanian electoral processes, encourages all parties to contest elections, and suggests that Lissu's release would boost talks between the ruling party and opposition. It calls on the African Union to engage with the Tanzanian government, notes the limited effect of EU aid, and worries about mass emigration due to poverty and population growth.

Key points

  1. Expresses concern about the arrest of Tundu Lissu and the disqualification of Chadema from the 2025 elections.
  2. Calls on Tanzanian authorities to bring to justice those responsible for politically motivated disappearances and murders.
  3. Fully respects the collective preferences of the Tanzanian people and the internal electoral process, which must reflect the will of its people.
  4. Encourages all political parties to contest the upcoming elections and the ruling party to hold talks with opposition parties; suggests Lissu's release would boost these talks.
  5. Calls on the African Union to engage with the Tanzanian government to find a solution.
  6. Notes that EU development aid has had limited effect, citing Tanzania's health crisis and brain drain of health professionals.
  7. Worries that high poverty and population growth will lead to mass emigration.

Who is affected

  • Tanzanian authorities and government, who are called to ensure justice and engage in talks.
  • Political parties in Tanzania, including Chadema and the ruling party, are encouraged to participate in elections and talks.
  • The African Union, which is called to engage with the Tanzanian government.
  • The EU and its member states, whose development aid is noted as having limited effect.

Figures and deadlines

  • On 9 April 2025, Tundu Lissu was arrested; on 10 April 2025, charged with treason.
  • On 12 April 2025, the Independent National Elections Commission barred Chadema from contesting the October 2025 elections.
  • In 2024, four government critics forcibly disappeared and one was unlawfully killed.
  • 76% of Tanzanians support limits on news or opinions that criticise the president; 71% approve restrictions on sharing information the government disapproves of.
  • Tanzania's 2025 population is estimated at 70,545,865, expected to grow to roughly 130 million by 2050; 25.2 million live on a maximum of 1.90 US dollar per day.
  • EU supports Tanzania with EUR 726 million under the Global Europe programme 2021-2027; member states' bilateral support was approximately EUR 1.2 billion for 2021-2024.