International Donors Urged to Cut Tanzania Aid After Opposition Leader’s Alleged Poisoning
International donors face mounting pressure to suspend aid to Tanzania’s government following reports of a poisoning attempt against detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The prominent lawyer and human rights advocate remains in custody since his April 2025 arrest on treason charges.
Lissu, who survived a brutal 2017 assassination attempt when gunmen shot him 16 times, now faces what supporters describe as “politically motivated charges of treason.” The latest incident allegedly occurred while he was held in government detention, raising serious concerns about prisoner safety and political persecution.
Human rights organizations are calling the poisoning attempt part of a broader crackdown on Tanzania’s opposition movement. Lissu has consistently challenged government policies and advocated for democratic reforms throughout his legal career.
The 2017 attack left Lissu requiring extensive medical treatment abroad. He returned to Tanzania despite ongoing security threats to continue his political activism and legal practice.
International observers worry that continued aid to Tanzania’s government enables human rights violations against opposition figures. Several advocacy groups argue that financial support should cease until authorities guarantee prisoner safety and drop politically motivated charges.
The alleged poisoning incident highlights Tanzania’s deteriorating human rights situation under current leadership. Lissu’s case has become a symbol of broader concerns about political freedom and judicial independence in the East African nation.
Government officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
