Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has announced plans to begin a hunger strike in protest against what he describes as unjust treatment during his detention and ongoing treason trial. The 57-year-old leader of the opposition party Chadema will commence the strike on Sunday or Monday, according to his lawyer, Peter Kibatala.
The move comes amid growing concerns about political repression ahead of Tanzania’s general elections set for October. Lissu, a long-time critic of the ruling government, was arrested last month and charged with treason—a serious offense in Tanzania that carries the possibility of the death penalty.
Speaking to journalists, Kibatala said the opposition figure is demanding fair access to his legal team and family, and transparency in court proceedings. “Lissu will not eat until justice is served. He is fully aware of the risks and is standing firm in his convictions,” said Kibatala.
The legal standoff escalated on April 24 when security forces dispersed Chadema supporters who had gathered outside the court in Dar es Salaam. Lissu, refusing to appear via video link, boycotted the hearing in protest.
Lissu has survived previous attempts on his life and faced repeated arrests over the years. In 2017, he was seriously injured in a shooting attack widely believed to be politically motivated.
Chadema has voiced strong opposition to what it calls a growing crackdown on democratic freedoms under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. The party recently refused to participate in the October elections, demanding electoral reforms and an independent commission to ensure fairness. As a result, it was disqualified from the race after rejecting the official electoral code of conduct.
The hunger strike is expected to intensify national and international attention on Tanzania’s political climate as election season approaches.