Tanzania’s Opposition Leader Faces Judicial Abuse Amid Political Repression

In a disturbing reminder of how authoritarian regimes manipulate justice to silence dissent, Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu appeared in court on Monday after nearly a year behind bars—only to face yet another adjournment. His treason trial, marked by a prosecutorial push for secret witnesses and closed-cell testimony, raises serious questions about the integrity of Tanzania’s judiciary under President Samia Suluhu.How Can Justice Thrive With Secret Witnesses and Endless Delays?Lissu, detained since April 2025 following calls for electoral reforms ahead of the disputed October election, stands accused of treason—a charge punishable by death. Yet instead of a transparent legal process,...