Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader Lissu plans hunger strike over denied legal access
His lawyer said the opposition leader will stop taking medication as he protests denied private meetings with counsel and a treason case that could bring a death sentence.
- On Monday, jailed Chadema opposition leader Tundu Lissu will begin a hunger strike to protest prison authorities' alleged refusal to permit court-ordered private consultations with his lawyers, his lawyer Rugemeleza Nshala said Saturday.
- Lissu, who survived being shot 16 times in a 2017 assassination attempt, has been detained in Tanzania for more than 18 months on a treason charge carrying a possible death sentence.
- Despite a court order, authorities denied private consultations and sometimes barred access entirely, Nshala stated. Speaking in Dar es Salaam, the lawyer warned Lissu about health risks since he relies on daily medication.
- Prison authorities, police, and the government have issued no public statements on the planned protest. Lissu previously went on hunger strike in May 2025 to protest being required to appear remotely in court.
- According to an official Inquiry, the October 2025 presidential election triggered violence that left at least 518 people dead. A final judgment in Lissu's case is scheduled for Nov 6.
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42 Articles
Daily Maverick
Jailed Tanzanian opposition leader begins hunger strike
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was charged with treason last year, has started a hunger strike to protest his inability to access his lawyers, his party said.
Tanzania’s Jailed Opposition Plans Hunger Strike
By KHALED KAZZIHAOctober 24, 2026Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu will begin a hunger strike Monday to protest prison authorities’ alleged refusal to allow court-ordered private consultations with his lawyers, his lawyer said Saturday.Lissu, who survived being shot 16 times in a 2017 assassination attempt, faces a treason charge carrying a possible death sentence. The leader of Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party, has been d…
The 58-year-old politician, who had been incarcerated for a year and a half for demanding reform of the electoral system, had returned to his country in 2023 after several years of exile. He was facing the death penalty.
Lissu threatens hunger strike over access to lawyers
Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu has threatened to begin a hunger strike on Monday and stop taking his prescribed medication in protest against what the opposition party describes as prison...
Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader Lissu plans hunger strike over denied legal access – WTOP News
Tanzania’s jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu will begin a hunger strike Monday to protest prison authorities’ alleged refusal to allow court-ordered private consultations with his lawyers, his lawyer said Saturday. Lissu, who survived being shot 16 times in a 2017 assassination attempt, faces a treason charge carrying a possible death sentence. The leader of Chadema,...
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