Overview

• A Tanzanian magistrate court has mandated that opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is charged with treason, appear in person for a hearing on May 19.
• The court has also restored public access to the hearing, reversing restrictions from the previous session where police barred attendance.
• Lissu began a hunger strike to protest virtual hearings, demanding his case be heard in person and calling for judicial transparency.
• Chadema, Lissu's party, continues to push for electoral reforms and has criticized the government for suppressing opposition voices ahead of October’s elections.
• President Hassan’s government denies accusations of heavy-handed tactics, while human rights groups highlight concerns over political repression and due process violations.