Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has asked the Court of Appeal to urgently hear a case connected to the treason charges he is currently facing, saying delays could put his health at risk.

Lissu, who is the chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, made the request in a filing submitted to the Court of Appeal in Dar es Salaam.

The matter before the court is Criminal Revision No. 7203216 of 2026, filed on February 24,th2026, after the Tanzanian government challenged a ruling by the High Court in Lissu’s ongoing treason trial.

In that earlier ruling, the High Court rejected an attempt by state prosecutors to introduce additional evidence from one of their witnesses in the case. Unhappy with that decision, the state moved to the Court of Appeal seeking a review of the ruling.

In his written response and sworn affidavit opposing the government’s application, Lissu also filed an urgent application asking the court to hear the matter as soon as possible.

He told the court that he has been in detention since April 2025 and requires regular medical care due to injuries he suffered during a 2017 assassination attempt, when he was shot multiple times.

According to his filing, being in prison has prevented him from attending routine medical check-ups, raising fears that further delays in hearing the case could worsen his condition.

“I respectfully request this Honourable Court to certify this application as urgent and direct that it be heard as early as possible,” Lissu said in his filing.

The main treason case against Lissu is currently being heard at the High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, before a panel of three judges led by Justice Dastan Ndunguru.

Lissu is one of Tanzania’s most prominent opposition figures and has long been a vocal critic of the government. His case has drawn attention both inside Tanzania and across the region.

The Court of Appeal is now expected to decide whether the matter will be given urgent hearing.