Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has vowed to begin a hunger strike on Monday, October 26, 2026, to protest restrictions on his access to confidential meetings with his lawyers while in detention.
Lissu, who leads Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party, has been detained since April 2025 and is facing a treason charge that carries a possible death sentence if convicted.
His lawyer, Rugemeleza Nshala, said prison authorities had allegedly failed to comply with a High Court ruling requiring them to allow private consultations between Lissu and his defence team.
The ruling, delivered on October 16, 2026, reportedly allowed prison officers to observe meetings between Lissu and his lawyers for security purposes but prohibited them from listening to the conversations.
Nshala said he had warned Lissu about the health risks associated with the planned hunger strike, noting that the opposition leader relies on medication. According to the lawyer, Lissu was also prepared to stop taking his medication as part of the protest.
Lissu was arrested in April 2025 after calling for electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 general election. He denies the treason charge.
The verdict in his case is expected on November 6, 2026.
