DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
The chairman of Tanzania's main opposition party (Chadema) Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing a treason case, has announced a hunger strike while in prison as a sign of demanding justice.
Lissu who was arrested at a public rally in which he called for electoral reforms almost a month ago was forced into a police vehicle after he had finished addressing a public rally in Mbinga in southern Tanzania.
Since then, he has not appeared in an open court, as the prosecution team insist to hear his case online.
Lissu's lead advocate, Peter Kibatala, told the press here today that their client refused to have the case heard online because he was denied his right to have enough time to communicate with his lawyers.
"I am issuing an official statement fromaour client that Lissu intends to officially begin a hunger strike net week until justice is served." He told journalists.
His statement was echoed by Lissu's letter written from Ukonga maximum security prison and posted on his X platform.
"If I am not taken to court on Tuesday as I should be, I will commence a hunger strike." Lissu wrote.
Kibatala said that Lissu is taking the step not to gain sympathy, but to demonstrate his firm stance in demanding justice in the ongoing legal process against him at the Kisutu Court.
In addition, the lawyer strongly criticized the procedure for hearing cases online, explaining that the system has become a major obstacle to the efficiency of the case and the right of the accused to be heard in full.
He claimed that communication is often interrupted, which contributes to wasting time and affecting the right to a fair trial.
“The online system is disturbing us. Justice cannot be decided with unstable technology. We want citizens to be able to follow this case directly in court, as this is one way of civic education.” He added.
In another development, Kibatala called on those who are making threatening statements about the conduct of the case to encourage investigators to complete gathering evidence and present the case in court instead of street threats.
Shot 16 times in an assassination attempt in 2017, Tundu Lissu is the great survivor of Tanzanian politics - and one of its most persecuted politicians.
Still, he is undeterred. Despite the enormous risk, he believes he can pressure the government to institute reforms, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in October.
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