Tundu Lissu faces court hearing following hunger strike against virtual trials

In Tanzania, a magistrate court has mandated the presence of opposition leader Tundu Lissu in court for a hearing on May 19, 2025. This decision comes after Lissu, who was arrested on April 9, 2025, on treason charges, went on a hunger strike to protest against being tried virtually. His arrest coincided with a broader context of increasing tensions in Tanzania, as Lissu's political party, Chadema, has actively campaigned for electoral reforms and has vocalized concerns over the arrests and detentions of opposition figures ahead of the upcoming general election scheduled for October 2025. Lissu’s situation reflects a critical moment in Tanzanian politics, especially under the current administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is running for election after completing her predecessor's term. The court’s decision is significant, marking the first time Lissu has been ordered to appear physically in court since his apprehension. Previously, the court's proceedings had been conducted virtually, a format that Lissu and his legal team protested against, prompting the hunger strike as a means of demanding a fair trial process. Furthermore, the public was barred from attending the last session, which has raised concerns regarding transparency and public access to the judicial process. In a statement from one of his lawyers, Peter Kibatala, it was highlighted that they faced challenges in communicating with Lissu while he was in prison, further complicating the defense's ability to represent him adequately. As a prominent opposition figure, Lissu's arrest and subsequent treatment underscore allegations of heavy-handed tactics employed by the government against dissenting voices. Human rights advocates have accused the Tanzanian administration of using oppressive measures to silence opposition parties, while the government has publicly denied such claims, asserting their commitment to democratic principles. The political climate in Tanzania has been fraught, as evidenced by the detention of Chadema party officials who were arrested en route to a hearing last month. Tundu Lissu’s previous experience of surviving an assassination attempt in 2017, where he was shot multiple times, adds to the urgency and gravity of his current situation. As Tanzania approaches its general elections, the backdrop of Lissu's political struggles and the government's quest to maintain control appears to be intensifying. The engagement of the public and the press will be pivotal as the court date approaches, signalling potential implications for the electoral process and governance in the region moving forward.