A Tanzanian court has barred live coverage of the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, a move that has drawn criticism from the politician and his party.
Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga announced the ruling on Monday at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, granting a request by state prosecutors who argued that concealing the identities of witnesses was necessary for their protection.
“Live streaming, live broadcast, and any other kind of live distribution of content online to the public, including on social media or video broadcast, are hereby prohibited,” Kiswaga declared during preliminary proceedings.
Lissu, however, condemned the decision, saying it undermined transparency and public accountability. “Justice must be done and be seen to be done,” he told the court. His CHADEMA party also criticised the ban, describing it as an attempt to limit public access to a politically charged case.
The opposition leader has been in detention since April on charges of treason and publishing false information, which he denies. Representing himself after dismissing his legal team, Lissu has long faced political persecution. He survived a 2017 assassination attempt after being shot multiple times and later contested the presidency in 2020, where he finished as runner-up. His party has since been barred from fielding candidates in the October presidential and parliamentary elections.
The case has renewed scrutiny of Tanzania’s human rights record under President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Although Hassan pledged reforms and respect for rights after succeeding John Magufuli in 2021, rights groups and opposition figures say repression continues, pointing to arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of government critics.
The trial comes at a sensitive moment as President Hassan seeks her first elected term in the October polls.
