Politics · 2026-10-24 · Afternoon briefing

Jailed Tanzanian opposition leader plans hunger strike

Tundu Lissu, Tanzania's main opposition leader, will begin a hunger strike from jail on October 26th, his lawyer announced. The protest is a response to prison authorities allegedly denying him court-ordered private consultations with his legal team. Mr. Lissu, who leads the Chadema party, has been detained for over 18 months while facing a serious treason charge.

The charge carries a possible death sentence. This is not the first time Mr. Lissu has faced mortal danger; he previously survived an assassination attempt in 2017, during which he was shot 16 times. His planned protest comes at a critical moment, with a final judgment in his case scheduled for November 6th, shortly after the strike is due to commence.

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• Tanzania's jailed opposition leader Lissu plans hunger strike over denied legal access
• Tanzania court rules opposition leader has case to answer in treason trial
• Tanzania opposition leader's treason trial resumes
• Tanzania locked down as opposition rejects Zanzibar results
• UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Determines Detention of Tanzanian Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu Is Arbitrary After Amsterdam & Partners LLP Application, Calls for His ...

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