Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, currently facing treason charges, has been ordered by a court to appear in person for his upcoming hearing on May 19.
This directive follows a hunger strike launched by T. Lissu in protest against the court’s decision to conduct proceedings virtually—a move he views as emblematic of the government’s efforts to stifle transparency.
Arrested on April 9 after advocating for electoral reforms ahead of the country’s October general elections, Lissu remains behind bars as treason, under Tanzanian law, is a non-bailable offence. His political party, Chadema, has vocally opposed the increasing repression of opposition voices, and tensions have risen further after several of its officials were detained en route to a previous court appearance, only to be later released without charge.
The court’s latest order also allows members of the public to attend the upcoming hearing, a shift from the previous session that was conducted behind closed doors under heavy police presence. Lissu’s legal team, comprising 31 advocates, has raised concerns over restrictions placed on their communication with the accused, stating that prison conditions have curtailed their ability to confer effectively. Lead counsel Peter Kibatala described how they were compelled to converse in English—an apparent strategy to limit understanding and confidentiality. The legal fraternity and human rights groups continue to call for an open and fair trial process, arguing that procedural integrity is paramount, especially given the politically sensitive nature of the charges.
Lissu’s plight casts a stark light on the broader climate for opposition politics in Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking a fresh mandate after completing the late President Magufuli’s term. While the government insists it upholds democratic principles, critics cite a pattern of arrests, restrictive laws, and threats that disproportionately target opposition figures.