Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), says its chairman, Tundu Lissu, has begun a hunger strike in prison to protest restrictions on access to him by his lawyers and representatives.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, CHADEMA said Lissu started the hunger strike amid continuing concerns over his legal rights and access to legal counsel.
The party said three of Lissu’s representatives, Dickson Matata, Doris Kafuku and Neema Massame, visited the prison seeking to see him and consult with him but were denied entry.
CHADEMA expressed concern over the development, saying the restrictions raised serious questions about Lissu’s access to legal assistance and the protection of his rights while in custody.
The party called on authorities to allow his representatives to see him without unnecessary restrictions and take urgent measures to safeguard his health, safety and well-being as the hunger strike continues.
Lissu has been in detention since April 2025, when he was arrested following a political rally in Mbinga, southern Tanzania, where he had called for electoral reforms ahead of the country’s general election.
Prosecutors charged him with treason and accused him of seeking to obstruct the electoral process. Lissu and his party have contested the charges, which carry the possibility of a death sentence under Tanzanian law.
His arrest came amid CHADEMA’s “No Reforms, No Election” campaign, which demanded changes to the country’s electoral system before the polls. The party has repeatedly raised concerns about political freedoms, electoral fairness and the treatment of opposition figures.
Lissu is a long-standing critic of Tanzania’s ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi party and President Samia Suluhu Hassan. In September 2017, he survived an assassination attempt in which he was shot multiple times while serving as a member of parliament.
His detention has drawn attention to concerns about political opposition and the administration of justice in Tanzania.
The latest dispute over access to Lissu comes as his treason case approaches a key stage. His trial concluded in September 2026, with the High Court scheduled to deliver its judgment on November 6, 2026.
CHADEMA says it is closely monitoring Lissu’s condition and will continue updating the public on developments surrounding his detention.
The statement was signed by Brenda Rupia, the party’s spokesperson for communications and publicity, who reiterated the party’s call for authorities to respect Lissu’s legal rights and ensure his safety while in custody.
