Lissue told VOA that if Tanzania is to live up to the ideals of the country’s founding president, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, it must facilitate the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe and other party leaders who have been in prison for four months now for organizing a party meeting to demand constitutional reforms but who are charged with terrorism.
Lissu also says respect for the values of the country’s founding fathers means freedom for political parties to operate freely in accordance with the legitimate laws of the country. He called for the immediate lifting of the ban on opposition political rallies. This comes as President Suluhu Hassan is expected to attend the opening of a political stakeholders meeting December 16 and 17.
Lissu says Chadema has said it will not attend because there is no legal issue regarding what he calls the “illegal” prohibition on opposition parties to hold mass rallies and demonstrations. He says the law provides that opposition political parties can hold rallies if they give the police 48 hours’ notice.
Lissu also says respect for the values of the country’s founding fathers means freedom for political parties to operate freely in accordance with the legitimate laws of the country. He called for the immediate lifting of the ban on opposition political rallies. This comes as President Suluhu Hassan is expected to attend the opening of a political stakeholders meeting December 16 and 17.
Lissu says Chadema has said it will not attend because there is no legal issue regarding what he calls the “illegal” prohibition on opposition parties to hold mass rallies and demonstrations. He says the law provides that opposition political parties can hold rallies if they give the police 48 hours’ notice.