Thulani Maseko Foundation

#Tanzania "[@TunduALissu]'s prolonged incarceration underscores a growing pattern in which the instruments of the state—particularly the legal system—are increasingly used to suppress dissent rather than uphold justice." #FreeTunduLissu thechanzo.com/2026/04/09/tan… @TheChanzo

@kennethmtata @DavidColtart What's worse Rev is not the purpoted reassignment which lacks substantive justification but the procedural constitutional violation accompanying it. Constitutionally she remains ZHRC chair. The President must critically review the legal advice he's getting. It's jeopardizing him.

TMF notes that #Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission plays a vital constitutional role as an independent safeguard of citizens’ rights, accountability, and state compliance with human rights standards. Abrupt “re-assignment” of its Chairperson, #JessieMajome is deeply concerning.

At long last we have a global legal framework to approach global historical injustices that shape the current global socio-economic and political world order. The leadership of #presidentmahama of #Ghana has been decisive #transcontinentalslavetrade #reparativejustice

It’s been 276 days since @VictoireUmuhoza, WLC member and one of the critical voices of @PaulKagame, has been unjustly detained in Rwanda on politically motivated grounds. She remains denied contact with her family—even as her husband faces serious illness abroad. Her case reflects a wider crackdown on peaceful dissent. We call for her immediate & unconditional release and for inclusive dialogue in #Rwanda. Justice delayed is justice denied.

‼️EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS CONTINUE IN #Tanzania ‼️ This young man was killed while handcuffed by community police! After wide publicity @SuluhuSamia govt is pretending to care But these are the same thugs who were part of the killing machinery of #TanzaniaMassacre last year! It is a tip of the iceberg Yaani hii kesi moja - hawa wauaji hawatafanywa kitu maana walisaidia kuua ili Bi Msumi atutawale kimabavu! Nchi inanuka damu na dhulma! Bila kuamka hali itazidi kuwa mbaya Sina cha kuongeza #TutaelewanaTu lakini!

#Update: We stand in solidarity with WLC Leadership Council member Tendai Biti, and his colleague Morgan Ncube ahead of their initial court hearing in Mutare tomorrow at 8:30AM. The protection of constitutional rights and the independence of the legal profession must be upheld at all times.

Young women remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making spaces in Zimbabwe and globally. This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate young women who are stepping up, raising their voices & creating impact where they are. Their leadership matters. Their voices matter.

@HEBobiwine, the arresting of @BitiTendai, and subjecting him to detention and chains, is yet another stark reminder of how far leaders like @edmnangagwa and @KagutaMuseveni are willing to go to silence dissent—but it will not break the spirit of a people determined to fight for their generational cause. The chains of suppression, intimidation, and abductions will not silence a generation committed to securing freedom, dignity, and strong democratic institutions in our lifetime—institutions that will shape Zimbabwe and Africa toward real, sustainable progress. This struggle is anchored in principles that cannot be crushed: democracy, accountability, the rule of law, and meritocracy. It stands firmly against corruption, dictatorship, the abuse of law to serve a few autocratic elites, and the entrenchment of nepotism. History consistently shows that repression does not end resistance—it fuels it. When governments resort to coercion instead of performance, they expose their own failure to lead. And when citizens continue to rise with clarity and purpose, they lay the foundation for a future where power truly belongs to the people. @cdfzim @FCDOGovUK @UKLabour @POTUS @UKinZimbabwe @euinzim @SADC_News @_AfricanUnion @HouseofCommons @UKHouseofLords @P_VanDamme_EU @BBCWorld @CyrilRamaphosa @DIRCO_ZA @MmusiMaimane @daddyhope

Just a few weeks ago, Mr. @BitiTendai, a comrade and human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe, was speaking out strongly condemning our brutal persecution by the Museveni regime following the sham Jan. 2026 election. Unfortunately, as I type this, he has joined the long list of comrades in Africa unfairly detained by their governments for seeking freedom. Biti was arrested alongside other freedom fighters in Zimbabwe for resisting attempts to extend the presidential term there to seven years and restrict the election of the President to members of Parliament only. It is disturbing to see this script, which Ugandans are already familiar with, being deployed in Zimbabwe as well. Biti's arrest is a cowardly attack on all citizens of Zimbabwe by a regime that cannot sustain open debate about their future without resorting to brute force. I call for his immediate, unconditional release together with the colleagues detained with him. The people of Zimbabwe deserve freedom, and leaders chosen by them. The struggle continues!

The CDF Convener Tendai Biti and Director of Programs Morgan Ncube have been detained by police in Mutare and have been charged with contravening MOPA by failing to notify police of a public meeting. They are likely to appear in court on Monday. We note the solidarity recieved from various corners. Our programs will not be deterred by these illegal and unconstitutional restrictions. Operation Chiverevere is going to keep going until every Zimbabwean has been reached and understand that we cannot have a Mnangagwa dynasty in Zimbabwe. Those in Mutare, your solidarity will be important as we continue to organize against the mutilation of our constitution!

I'm hearing disturbing news that on 13 March 2026, WHRDs Tolekan Ismailova & Bermet Borubaieva were detained for nearly 6 hours in Bishkek, #Kyrgyzstan, ahead of a planned peaceful protest against assembly bans. Ismailova was questioned about Bir Duino’s activities & her posts opposing the war in Ukraine, while Borubaieva was questioned about her links to Ismailova. They were reportedly denied food & water. This appears to be harassment linked to legitimate human rights work & should stop immediately. @KGMissiontoUNOG

#Update: A court has granted bail to political analyst Shewit Gebreegziabher (Salsay Weyane), set at 10,000 Ethiopian birr. He was detained on March 13, 2026 without a warrant, and the ruling came on March 19. Prosecutors accuse him of involvement in illegal arms trafficking, alleging he transported weapons including 69 Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, and smoke bombs. Shewit denies the charges, calling them politically motivated and linked to his public calls for reform and inclusive governance. Next hearing: March 30, 2026.

"We want the international community ... to stop sponsoring terror in #Uganda, to stop sponsoring a dictator who has been in power for 40 years, to stop sponsoring a dictatorship that tortures people for fun on camera." -@HEBobiwine rfi.fr/en/internation… @RFIAfrique

World Liberty Congress condemns the arrest and imprisonment of our Leadership Council member, Tendai Biti, for defending Zimbabwe’s Constitution. This is political persecution—defending democracy is not a crime. We demand his immediate release. Read our full statement: worldlibertycongress.org/for-immediate-…

🚨‼️TUNDU LISSU FILES APPLICATION WITH CERTIFICATE OF URGENCY‼️ Tundu Lissu has filed an application before the Court of Appeal seeking an expedited hearing of his treason case, citing his rapidly deteriorating health. This development underscores the urgency and gravity of his situation. Clearly Samia Suluhu wants Lissu to wither and hopes he dies in illegal detention before he sees justice! This is not an exaggeration! We need immediatr action. #FreeTunduLissu @EU_Commission @EUParl_EN @commonwealthsec @WorldBankGroup @WorldBankAfrica @KGeorgieva @IMFAfrica @FCDOGovUK @SenateForeign @davidmcallister AFYA YA TUNDU LISSU YAZOROTA Tuache utani! Lissu anahitaji kwa sasa awe ameshapatiwa matibabu ya kitaalam tukizingatia historia yake! Wanachofanya @judiciarytz ni kumwacha ateseke bila sababu! Na hii serikali ya wauaji wanatarajia adhoofike na hata kufia jela! Mnawaona hawa ni binadamu ?! Hivi wanaelewa Lissu ni moja ya sababu bado watanzania wana matumaini na wamekaa wanasubiri atoke ndiyo maana kuna ukimya fulani?! Mwambie huyu Bi Msumi wenu asicheze na moto! Watanzania tuelewe tukimpoteza Lissu tutakaa muda mrefu kupata mzalendo mwingine kama huyu! Na msitarajie Bi Msumi kuwa na busara - ye anawaza damu tu! Tusipopambana hakuna wa kuja kutukomboa! We need to act NOW! #FreeTunduLissu NOW

"Authoritarianism is bad for human rights, and for Africa's economic prospects ... Despite #Zimbabwe's abundant mineral and agricultural riches, Zimbabweans are today 20% poorer than they were in 2000, and significantly poorer than the African average." pad.africa/blog/democrats…

Eswatini: Arrival of four more men under US unlawful removal deal  amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

‼️🚨TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION ALERT‼️ #Tanzania The illegitimate govt of @SuluhuSamia this week sent out operatives abroad to deal with critics and they go through the Tz missions some as delegates to conferences like to @UN event or few as tourists! Many have diplomatic passports This time as per @2RachelD they went to the house of Tino, Humphrey Polepole’s brother house - and there is a group of 15 somewhere in Sweden and Denmark and Scandanavia @Sweden @DanishMFA @SwedeninTZ these state operators need to be restricted! While they may have taken advantage of the Schengnen visa free movement but authorities need to oay attention to these murderers Recent abduction attempt in Kenya proves that this is a real and present danger! Nyie watekaji mtakuja kuumbuka vibaya! Kwa sasa hakuna mahali mtafanya jambo gizani maana Mungu kaamua kushughulika na ninyi! Mtakuja kuniambia! #TutaelewanaTu

Human rights defenders should not spend decades in prison for their work. Nor should they lose their lives because of it. At #HRC61 last week, I raised the long-term detention of 96 HRDs & the continued killings of defenders -- two priorities of my mandate since day one.