Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu to begin hunger strike amid treason trial, protesting restricted access to legal counsel and family as Chadema faces political suppression ahead of elections.
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu to begin hunger strike amid treason trial, protesting restricted access to legal counsel and family as Chadema faces political suppression ahead of elections.
Attorney Peter Kibatala, who represents Lissu stated that the hunger strike will start between Sunday and Monday to demonstrate his willingness to accept personal risks during his pursuit of justice.
The activist Lissu, at age 57 challenges the limitations of seeing his lawyer and family during detention along with restrictions concerning public listeners at court hearings.
The defendant chose to skip his April 24 hearing following a requirement to use a video call instead of appearing in person because police personnel violently suppressed Chadema followers outside the courtroom.
The assassination survival in 2017 made Lissu an influential critic of Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
According to Chadema President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces accusations from his party for using outdated methods of suppression which mirror those of her predecessor John Magufuli.
During the early months of this year, Chadema announced its decision to abstain from October elections unless major electoral reforms happened including creation of an independent electoral commission.
The party received election disqualification because it did not accept the “code of conduct” terms for participation.
The political tensions in Tanzania before its upcoming general elections have increased as Lissu continues his hunger strike.
Several human rights organizations and international bodies seem interested since they worry about political elimination and its impact on democracy in the country.
