Tanzanian Opposition Leader Ends Hunger Strike After Meeting
Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges, suspended his protest after prison officials allowed a private visit from his brother.
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu ended a hunger strike Tuesday after prison authorities permitted him to meet privately with his brother, according to his lawyer. Lissu, a prominent figure in Tanzania's opposition and leader of the Chadema party, had begun the strike to protest limitations on confidential legal consultations.
Lissu faces a treason charge that carries a potential death sentence and has been detained for over 18 months, with a final judgment expected on November 6. His lead attorney, Rugemeleza Nshala, stated that Lissu postponed an initial hunger strike planned for Monday after being assured of private access. When these consultations did not occur on Monday, Lissu began refusing food Tuesday morning.
Nshala indicated that Lissu abstained from his tea, breakfast, and lunch on Tuesday before ending the strike following the meeting with his brother. Prison authorities and the government have not issued public statements regarding the hunger strike. Nshala had previously expressed concerns about the health implications of the strike, noting Lissu's reliance on medication.
Lissu was arrested on April 9, 2025, after addressing a rally advocating for electoral reforms prior to the general election that year. He was subsequently charged with treason the next day. In May 2025, he undertook a hunger strike to protest being compelled to appear in court remotely rather than in person.
Recent events also highlight broader political tensions in Tanzania. Presidential candidates from the country's two main opposition parties were prevented from participating in the October 2025 election, an event that led to protests and violence. Chadema announced a seven-day period of mourning, set to run from Thursday through November 4, with party flags to be flown at half-mast. The party's Secretary-General, John Mnyika, called for an independent investigation into the election violence, involving international bodies and Tanzanian stakeholders.
An inquiry into the election violence reported in April that at least 518 people died, though the chairman of the inquiry noted the toll was likely higher as some families buried relatives without official notification. The United Nations had previously called for an investigation into the killings and allegations of police removing bodies from mortuaries. Chadema estimated the death toll at approximately 2,000, a figure the U.N. stated it could not verify due to insecurity and an internet shutdown during the election period.