Kenyan lawyer and political activist Miguna Miguna has reacted strongly to the four-year prison sentence handed to Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, describing the conviction as a victory for the government’s critics despite what he termed politically motivated charges.
In a post shared on his official X account, Miguna congratulated Lissu for defeating the treason charges initially brought against him, arguing that the conviction for incitement was an attempt to offer Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan political comfort.
“Congratulations, comrade Tundu Lissu, for defeating the trumped-up treason charges,” Miguna wrote.
He further described Lissu’s conviction for incitement as an attempt to give President Suluhu what he termed “a pyrrhic solace,” maintaining that the outcome should not be mistaken for a defeat of the opposition leader’s struggle.
Miguna also hailed what he described as a triumph of courage, determination and truth over impunity and institutional manipulation.
“Today is a triumph of fearlessness, focus and the truth over the culture of impunity and institutional lies,” he stated.
Concluding his message, the outspoken lawyer insisted that the struggle for justice and political freedom must continue, adding: “Telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
Lissu was sentenced to four years in prison after a court convicted him of incitement to unrest, bringing an end to a closely watched trial that began following his arrest on treason charges in April.
The proceedings have attracted criticism from opposition figures and rights advocates, who have questioned the political circumstances surrounding his prosecution.
