South Sudan/Kenya/Tanzania: South Sudan and Kenya sued over killing of two activists

August 2, 2019

Hope For Humanity Africa and the Pan African Lawyers Union have sued the governments of South Sudan and Kenya over the abduction and possible subsequent murder of human rights lawyer Dong Samuel and activist Aggrey Idri.

The case is before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in Tanzania.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, South Sudanese lawyer, Wani Santino Jada said the complainants want explanations on circumstances that led to the disappearance and killing of both men.

Last month, Wani said, South Sudan and Kenya received official invitations from the EACJ, in which Attorney Generals of both nations were summoned to appear before the Tanzania-based court.

He added that Juba confirmed receipt of the invitation on July 18, while Nairobi confirmed receipt of the same letter on July 22.

Wan said several lawyers in the region are demanding that Juba and Nairobi be held liable for the killing of both men.

He revealed that the court had given the Attorney-Generals of the two countries 45 days to appear before the tribunal in Tanzania.

Wani stressed that the deportation of Dong and Idri from Kenya was a blatant violation of East African laws because there were no bilateral agreements between Juba and Nairobi to deport the two activists.

In May, a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), by a panel of experts tasked to probe the conflict situation in South Sudan, revealed that both Dong and Idri were kidnapped by the Internal Security Bureau of South Sudan in Nairobi.

It said the two men were then deported to Juba and executed three days later.

Dong, a renowned South Sudanese human rights lawyer and activist, and Aggrey Idri Ezbon, a member of the opposition SPLM-IO, disappeared from the Kenyan capital on 23 and 24 January 2017.

https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/south-sudan-and-kenya-sued-over-killing-of-two-activists

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bf6hqq6p58w5q8/1%20-%20%20Statement%20of%20Reference.pdf?dl=0

MEET Advocate

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/South-Sudan-denies-execution-of-prominent-activists/4552908-5097446-uoxweo/index.html

https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-panel-south-sudan-killed-activists

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/04/south-sudan-investigate-apparent-2017-killing-of-activists/

https://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article66958

South Sudan: Detention and Disappearance of Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idri | Letter

Welcome to the East African Court of Justice

PALU

South Sudanese lawyer Wani Santino Jada of Hope for Humanity Africa (H4HA)

Tanzania: Puzzle as DPP holds ‘missing lawyer’

May 5, 2019

Questions lingered yesterday after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Biswalo Mganga disclosed that his office was holding an Arusha-based lawyer whose whereabouts had triggered a social media storm last week.

…

https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-Puzzle-as-DPP-holds–missing-lawyer-/1840340-5101042-m9a6l9/index.html

Home

https://tls.or.tz/taarifa-ya-awali-ya-kukamatwa-kwa-wakili-maneno-mbunda-04052019/ (SWAHILI)

https://mobile.mwananchi.co.tz/Habari/DPP-asema-wakili-jijini-Arusha-hajatoweka/1597580-5100226-format-xhtml-146u9yp/index.html (SWAHILI)

"I have heard the DPP saying that he is detained for various offenses, but I have not been able to see him. I am a house wife with four children. Please grant me the right to see my husband." Advocate Maneno Mbunda's wife, Mwanaisha Omari pic.twitter.com/P4JK9BmmKW

— WateteziTv_International (@WateteziTv_Int) May 5, 2019

Advocate Maneno Pius Mbunda's young sister, Upendo Mbunda, crying for the authorities' help in finding her missing brother pic.twitter.com/ZrBltQNsBw

— WateteziTv_International (@WateteziTv_Int) May 4, 2019

Thank you for your support on this.
Bring back advocate Maneno Mbunda https://t.co/iEKZBJWo8e

— Tanganyika Law Society (@TanganyikaLaw) May 4, 2019

THRDC National Coordinator, Mr Onesmo Olengurumwa has issued a statement on the disappearance of Advocate Maneno Pius Mbunda, on behalf of the Coalition, available at https://t.co/FfUdT3rJzk pic.twitter.com/ZwssgNtBlX

— WateteziTv_International (@WateteziTv_Int) May 3, 2019

Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka (DPP), Biswalo Mganga amesema Wakili Maneno Mbunda aliyeripotiwa kutoweka Arusha anashikiliwa kwa mahojiano kwa uhujumu uchumi pamoja na watuhumiwa wengine tisa. Washtakiwa hao wanatuhumiwa kutamka bei ya chini ya meno ya tembo na … pic.twitter.com/31qBcZa02S

— TLS Family (@TeamShabaan) May 5, 2019

*DPP asema wakili jijini Arusha hajatoweka*

Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka (DPP), Biswalo Mganga amesema wakili Maneno Mbunda anayedaiwa kutoweka Aprili 28 jijini Arusha, anashikiliwa na polisi kwa mahojiano. https://t.co/nn6zAIp27e
@OlengurumwaO @humanrightstz @MariaSTsehai pic.twitter.com/4n31R9iDhq

— William Kitengai (@WilliamKitengai) May 4, 2019

Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka nchini DPP, Biswalo Mganga amesema wakili Maneno Mbunda anayedaiwa kutoweka Aprili 28 huko jijini Arusha, anashikiliwa na Jeshi la Polisi kwa mahojiano. (Mwananchi) 1/2. #KwanzaHabari pic.twitter.com/lCqWrG3day

— Kwanza TV (@kwanza_tv) May 4, 2019

Tanzania: What Lissu Misses One Year After ‘Assassination’ Attempt

September 7, 2018

Recuperating Singida East MP (Chadema) Tundu Lissu said yesterday that he was homesick as he marks one year since surviving an “assassination” attempt in Dodoma.

Mr Lissu, who doubles as the opposition’s chief whip, was sprayed with 32 bullets out which 16 hit him when returning home after a parliamentary session.

Shortly after the attack, the firebrand politician was rushed to the Dodoma Referral Hospital before being airlifted to Nairobi in Kenya for further treatment.

After multiple surgical operations in Nairobi, Mr Lissu, who was critical of several government decisions, was flown to Belgium where he is still receiving treatment.

The legislator, who has so far undergone 21 surgeries, spoke exclusively to The Citizen on a wide range of issues, but stressed his eagerness to come back home and continue with political activities.

The Citizen: Tell us one thing that you feel about Tanzania and Tanzanians in general.

Lissu: All I can say is that I extremely miss Tanzania and I miss all Tanzanians.

…

https://allafrica.com/stories/201809070288.html

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Hope-for-Lissu-s–arrival-this-year-dashed/1840340-4735030-pgfe9o/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

https://www.bbc.com/swahili/habari-45334320 (SWAHILI)

https://www.dw.com/sw/lissu-afunguka-na-kumtahadharisha-magufuli/av-45381727 (SWAHILI)

http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/habari/Wapinzani-wamkumbuka-Tundu-Lissu-bungeni/1597578-4748354-td6tj2z/index.html (SWAHILI)

Tanzania: Tundu Lissu discharged after 7 months in Belgium hospital

August 7, 2018

Upon his discharge from the hospital, Mr Lissu who is a former President of Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) will now continue to receive care from home.

…

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Tundu-Lissu-discharged-after-7-months-in-Belgium-hospital/1840340-4702358-a2qtb5z/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/habari/Lissu-aruhusiwa-kutoka-hospitalini/1597578-4702260-uss08bz/index.html (KISWAHILI)

Tanzania: CJ Warns Lawyers Over Needless Activism

April 26, 2018

CHIEF Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma yesterday warned the Tanganyika Law Society against mixing politics and human rights activism when discharging its functions under the laws for which it was established.

At a press conference in Dar es Salaam, the CJ insisted that the TLS is a public entity and thus, appealed to the leaders of the bar association to go back to the line to avoid any confrontations with the Judiciary or State. “We cannot let you choose the direction you have chosen under the pretext of exercising freedom and mind you the Judiciary under which you’re closely working with will not give you any cooperation or allow you to give any legal advice to us,”

the CJ warned. He recalled that the TLS is the Bar Association of Tanzania Mainland, which was founded in 1954 by an Act of Parliament, the Tanganyika Law Society Ordinance 1954 and currently was being governed by the Tanganyika Law Society Act. According to the CJ, the TLS was established with several statutory objectives, notably to assist the Government and the Courts in all matters affecting legislation and administration and practice of the law in Tanzania.

Prof. Juma mentioned other objectives as facilitating the acquisition of legal knowledge by members of the legal profession and others and protecting and assisting the public in Tanzania in all matters touching, ancillary or incidental to the law. He cited other TLS duties as representing, protecting and assisting members of the legal profession in Tanzania as regards to conditions of practice and otherwise and maintain and improve the standards of conduct and learning of the legal profession in Tanzania. “

…

http://allafrica.com/stories/201804260518.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/201803270838.html

http://tls.or.tz/

The IBAHRI supported the Tanganyika Law Society in communicating with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers regarding threats against the Association’s president and against the legal profession in Tanzania.

Read more about this issue in the 2017 Annual Review: https://tinyurl.com/y7rhftx4

(International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute Facebook, 2/5/18)

In 2017, the IBAHRI called for accountability concerning cases where prominent legal figures came under attack.

In Tanzania, Mr. Lissu, the President of the Tanganyika Law Society, was shot. In Myanmar, prominent lawyer U Ko Ni was fatally shot. In Venezuela, Judge Afiuni was detained when she judged a politically sensitive case.

The IBAHRI called on the respective country and states to ensure justice for these individuals. To further combat the climate of fear and protect the rule of law, the IBAHRI took on trial-monitoring and fact-finding missions that have continued in 2018.

Read more about the IBAHRI’s work on protecting the legal profession in our 2017 Annual Review: https://tinyurl.com/y7rhftx4

 

(International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute Facebook, 4/5/18)

Tanzania: Tundu Lissu to undergo 19th operation in Belgium

March 12, 2018

Tanzanian fiery opposition MP who was shot and severely injured by unknown gunmen last year is set to undergo his 19th surgery in Belgium.

Singida-East MP Tundu Lissu is slated to undergo the operation at the Leuven University Hospital in Gasthuisberg on March 14.

JOINTS

Unknown gunmen shot Mr Lissu several times as he headed to a meeting of the National Assembly in Dodoma on September 7, 2017.

The government of President John Magufuli, which Mr Lissu criticised, says it is still investigating the attack that was condemned by the international community.

Mr Lissu said on Saturday said he was informed by his medical team that another operation was deemed necessary to speed up recovery of his joints.

…

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Tundu-Lissu-to-undergo-19th-operation-in-Belgium/1066-4337836-5ewy7w/

http://allafrica.com/stories/201803120123.html

https://allafrica.com/stories/201803270838.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/201804180130.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Afrique/Derive-autoritaire-contestation-Tanzanie-2018-04-15-1200931787 (FRANCAIS)

http://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/549073/politique/tanzanie-le-virage-autoritaire-de-john-magufuli/ (FRANCAIS)

http://www.asemana.publ.cv/?Tanzania-Liberdade-de-expressao-e-imprensa-em-regressao&ak=1 (PORTUGUES)

Tanzania/Kenya: Tanzania MP Lissu leaves Kenyan hospital after September shooting

January 5, 2018

Tanzania Opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu has left the Nairobi Hospital where he was admitted after being shot in September last year in Dodoma.

Lissu who represents Singida constituency told a news conference at the hospital on Friday that those who attacked him used sophisticated military weapons, an indication according to him that President John Magufuli’s government was involved.

He revealed that eight bullets have so far been removed from his body but one remained lodged since removing it would be life-threatening.

Lissu is set to fly abroad on Saturday for specialised care to help him regain his ability to walk.

The official Opposition Chief Whip said the shooting was an assassination attempt by what he described as the cruel regime of Magufuli.

“I was shot 16 times for denouncing President Magufuli who since coming into office has turned the country, literally, into a police state,” Lissu stated.

“Newspapers are closed for criticizing the government, radio stations are shut down; journalists are arrested and beaten. Even posting critical messages on social media has become a criminal offense,” said the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party MP.

…

The President of Tanzania’s bar association, the Tanganyika Law Society, as well as being CHADEMA’s Attorney General, Lissu has on several occasions asked government officials pressing questions in Parliament, something that rattled the State.

…

https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2018/01/tanzania-mp-lissu-leaves-kenyan-hospital-september-shooting/

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Tanzania-Tundu-Lissu-attack-assassination-attempt/1056-4252528-ufaa0a/index.html

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001265035/opposition-chief-whip-tundu-lissu-blames-attempt-on-his-life-on-tanzania-government

http://www.africanews.com/2018/01/06/tanzania-politics-dangerous-because-of-dictator-magufuli-shot-opposition-chief/

https://www.tuko.co.ke/262262-fiery-tanzania-opposition-politician-tundu-lissu-calls-magufuli-a-skunk-leav.html

https://hivisasa.com/posts/tundu-lissu-thanks-kenyans

https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/01/12/freedom-expression-under-threat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

http://www.bbc.com/swahili/habari-42579721 (SWAHILI)

https://www.voaswahili.com/a/lissu-chadema-afafanua-shambulizi-la-kutaka-kumuua-tanzania/4194188.html (SWAHILI)

http://fr.africanews.com/2018/01/10/tanzanie-le-chef-de-l-opposition-felicite-le-president-pour-le-travail-abattu/ (FRANCAIS)

Tanzania/Kenya: Opposition chief whip Lissu speaks from Nairobi Hospital

November 28, 2017

Tanzania’s Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday visited fiery opposition chief whip Tundu Lissu who is admitted at Nairobi Hospital.

Mr Lissu was shot on September 7 in Dodoma by unknown gunmen.

The Vice President made the stopover after representing her boss, President John Magufuli, during the swearing-in ceremony of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

READ: Shot Tanzanian MP in critical, stable condition

GOODWILL

Ms Hassan, who was escorted to the hospital under tight security, spent 15 minutes in the ward with the Singida East MP.

Members of the press were not allowed to join the VP’s convoy, which included the Presidential Director of Communication, Grayson Msigwa.

Speaking to the Nation after her visit, Mr Lissu lauded the gesture, calling it a sign of goodwill.

…

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Tanzania-VP-Suluhu-visits-injured-Tundu-Lissu/1056-4206946-owhi0kz/index.html

https://www.ft.com/content/80ae9260-cac5-11e7-ab18-7a9fb7d6163e

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

Tanzania/South Africa: Tanzania Deports South African Human Rights Lawyer and 2 Others

October 27, 2017

South African human rights lawyer Sibongile Ndashe and two others who were arrested and detained in Tanzania 10 days ago have been deported on Friday evening.

They were arrested for ‘promoting homosexuality’ at a hotel in Dar es Salaam. Same-sex relations are illegal in the east African country.

Ndashe was released on bail on Thursday and told to report to the police station on Friday.

Senior lawyer at the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA), Matilda Lasseko, told News24 that their deportation is proof that there were no real charges against them, and that the unlawful week-long detention without reason was just a form of harassment.

Lasseko said of those arrested, two were South Africans – one was based in Uganda, while the others are from Tanzania. Lasseko confirmed that the others were released on Friday as well.

ISLA will host a press conference at their offices on Saturday on the wrongful arrests and arbitrary detention.

…

http://allafrica.com/stories/201710280022.html

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/we-were-held-hostage-at-a-tanzanian-police-station-sa-human-rights-lawyer-20171028

https://www.enca.com/south-africa/lawyer-arrested-in-tanzania-for-homosexuality-greateful-for-the-support

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/tanzania-deports-sa-human-rights-lawyer-and-2-others-20171027

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/oct/26/tanzania-illegally-detains-human-rights-lawyers-for-promoting-homosexuality

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/bail-granted-to-sa-lawyer-arrested-in-tanzania-for-promoting-homosexuality-20171026

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/sa-lawyer-arrested-for-promoting-homosexuality-in-tanzania-treated-well-20171024

https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/watch-demonstration-at-tanzania-high-commission-11685763

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/sa-human-rights-lawyer-still-being-held-illegally-in-tanzania-11691976

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/sa-human-rights-lawyer-still-being-held-illegally-in-tanzania-11691976

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/opinion/assault-on-justice-in-tanzania-11676159

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/2017/10/sahrdn-petitions-tanzania-zuma-situation-human-rights-defenders-sadc-region/

https://www.icj.org/tanzania-icj-condemns-the-arbitrary-detention-of-lawyers-and-human-rights-defenders/

Tanzania: Lissu’s ‘Seditious Case’ Postponed Till Next Month

October 5, 2017

THE outcome of the trial of Singida East Member of Parliament (MP) Tundu Lissu, who is charged with abusing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr John Pombe Magufuli (JPM), by calling him a dictator, will be known early next month.

Resident Magistrate Godfrey Mwambapa, who is hearing the case at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, was yesterday scheduled to deliver his ruling on whether the MP under Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) has a case to answer or not in respect of the offence charged.

However, the session was pushed to November 16, this year on two grounds, including the absence of the lawmaker, who is currently undergoing medical treatments at Chandaria Accident and Emergence Nairobi Hospital in Kenya.

The other reason was related to the failure of the Chief Whip of the opposition camp in Parliament, to present his submissions after closure of prosecution’s case in the matter. Advocate Peter Kibatala, for the MP, undertook to file the submissions in question by October 9.

…

http://allafrica.com/stories/201710050504.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundu_Lissu

http://www.bbc.com/swahili/41516061 (SWAHILI)