20 May Until We Are Free: KLM Statement on the current state of Human Rights in Africa
Nairobi, 20 May 2025 – Kongamano la Mapinduzi strongly condemns the arrest of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu last month on trumped-up treason charges. We similarly condemn yesterday’s arbitrary detention and deportation of Kenyan comrades who had travelled to observe the case – including former Justice Minister Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and activists Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, whereas Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire are still being held in detention by the Tanzanian government.
These acts of repression are a direct assault on democratic principles, regional solidarity, and the fundamental rights of African citizens to freedom of movement, expression, and political participation. It is deeply troubling that Tanzanian authorities have chosen to criminalize peaceful efforts to observe and support a fair judicial process, particularly one involving a prominent opposition leader.
These actions not only violate the principles of freedom of movement and expression but also undermine the spirit of regional cooperation enshrined in the East African Community (EAC) treaty.
Tundu Lissu’s arrest and treason charges represent a dangerous pattern of political intimidation aimed at silencing dissent in the lead-up to Tanzania’s general elections. The deportation of Kenyan human rights defenders who traveled in solidarity, meanwhile, exposes a growing intolerance toward cross-border unity and democratic cooperation within the East African region.
At a broader level, we wish to bring to your attention some recent related patterns of violence across the African continent. Earlier this month, the Gambian Government arrested the Banjul 20, including Comrade Alieu Bah, for simply asking that the list of Yayyah Jammeh’s frozen assets, which are largely proceeds of corruption, be made public. In Southern Africa, activists continue facing oppression – as recently highlighted by repeated attempts to evict homeless people who have occupied government buildings because they have nowhere else to go. These occupations come in the wake of assassinations of leaders of the Ahbalahi BaseMnjodolo movement (also known as the Shack Dwellers Movement), which stands for land occupation by all those who are unseen and unheard by unjust power. We will not even talk about Uganda today, for the facts are clearer than light – even the blind can see that the state of repression, torture and violence that Museveni’s regime has instituted in Uganda is beyond human capacity. There are more important issues for us to discuss today.
All this goes on as huge swathes of Africa, including Sudan and the DRC are engulfed in manufactured wars that consign our people to violence, rape, death, amongst other untold atrocities.
We take this opportunity to remind our Comrade brothers and sisters across the continent that nothing is permanent. That the people are the motive force of history. That the people’s resistance against oppression must be organized, for it shall eventually triumph against forces of repression.
As Kongamano la Mapinduzi, a pan-Africanist and people-driven movement committed to justice and transformation, we:
- Stand in full solidarity with Tundu Lissu and the people of Tanzania in their struggle for accountable governance structures and electoral justice. WE additionally stand in solidarity with Ugandan leader Comrade Kizza Besigye, and all those who are unfairly jailed for speaking truth to power across the African continent.
- Salute our Kenyan comrades who, despite repression, continue to extend solidarity and champion the cause of democracy across borders. We additionally salute all those who stand shoulder-to-shoulder, or who continue extending solidarity to oppressed people across the world.
- Demand the immediate release of all those detained for political reasons in Tanzania, Uganda, and other African Countries – and an end to the targeting of citizens and allies advocating for justice and reform.
Democracy thrives when systems of power are held accountable, divergent opinions are listened to, and fundamental human rights are protected. We urge all African people, and comrades around the world, to speak out against these injustices and support the people of Africa, whether home or abroad, in their pursuit of peaceful, just and dignified societies.
Signed
KLM Central Committee –