Tanzanian Ruling Party Warns Martha Karua Over Tundu Lissu Case
The ruling party of Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has issued a sharp warning to Kenyan politician and lawyer Martha Karua, cautioning her against interfering in Tanzania’s internal matters.
This strong message comes after Karua openly criticized the Tanzanian government, accusing it of engineering treason charges against opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The Arrest of Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu, who chairs Tanzania’s center-right Chadema party, found himself at the center of controversy after making remarks during a political rally.
Authorities interpreted his statements as provocative and a threat to national security. As a result, Lissu was arrested and now faces serious treason charges—an event that has drawn significant international attention.
Karua’s Stepping Into Tanzania’s Legal Battleground
Martha Karua, leading a pan-African delegation, traveled to Dar es Salaam on Thursday, April 24, to attend Lissu’s trial at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court. Speaking boldly, she accused the Tanzanian government of manipulating the judiciary to silence political opponents.
She stated, “It is evident that the state is using its legal machinery to target dissenters.”
Her comments added fuel to an already sensitive situation, prompting a strong response from Tanzanian authorities.
CCM’s Tanzanian Rulling Party Warns Martha Karua
Reacting swiftly, CCM’s vice chairman Stephen Wasira defended Tanzania’s legal and political systems. He accused Karua of overstepping her bounds and warned her against interfering in sovereign affairs.
“Tanzania is a democratic state that upholds the rule of law,” Wasira said. “We have no interest in undermining our court system.”
He stressed that Karua’s statements not only disrespected Tanzania’s judiciary but also threatened to disrupt the nation’s political stability.
Karua’s Political History Under Scrutiny
Wasira went further, launching a personal attack on Karua’s political record in Kenya. He recalled how Karua had challenged the leadership of the late Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, suggesting she had a long history of stirring political unrest.
“Martha Karua has made a career of political disruption,” Wasira remarked. “Now she is attempting to import the same into Tanzania.”
By highlighting her past confrontations with Kenyan regimes, Wasira aimed to paint Karua’s involvement not as a neutral legal act, but as a deliberate political provocation.
While acknowledging that Karua, as a practicing lawyer in East Africa, had the right to represent her clients, Wasira emphasized that there must be limits. He pointed out that although Karua had the legal authority to appear in court, her comments outside the courtroom crossed into unwelcome political interference.
“She had Narc Kenya, which struggled, and now she has PLP. Political failure at home should not be exported abroad,” Wasira added, referencing Karua’s shift to a new political party.
Thus, CCM’s position was clear: legal representation is acceptable, but political activism against Tanzania’s government will not be tolerated.
This confrontation between a Tanzanian ruling party leader and a prominent Kenyan politician risks straining relations between the two neighboring countries. As Karua frames her actions as a fight for human rights and democratic freedoms, Tanzanian officials see them as blatant disrespect for sovereignty.
The situation underscores a sensitive question: How should East African nations balance regional solidarity with respect for each other’s internal legal processes?
The message from Tanzania’s ruling party could not be clearer: foreign political figures must respect the country’s sovereignty, especially during sensitive legal proceedings. By warning Martha Karua against meddling in Tanzania’s internal affairs, Stephen Wasira and CCM have drawn a line around what they consider acceptable foreign involvement.
As Tundu Lissu’s case moves forward, the battle over political influence, legal advocacy, and national sovereignty continues to unfold—with far-reaching consequences for the region’s political landscape.
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Tanzanian Ruling Party Warns Martha Karua Over Tundu Lissu Case
