Woman has sentence quashed by Tanzania court after over a...

What’s Happening

So get this: Lemi Limbu, who has severe intellectual disabilities, remains in prison and will now face retrial for the murder of her daughter A woman with severe intellectual disabilities in Tanzania has had her conviction and death sentence quashed after spending more than a decade in prison awaiting execution.

Lemi Limbu , now in her early 30s, was convicted of th A court of appeal in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The experts warn that Limbu could spend years more in prison waiting for her retrial. (and honestly, same)

Photograph: Charles Bowman/Alamy View image in fullscreen A court of appeal in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Details

Photograph: Charles Bowman/Alamy Women in prison Global development Woman has sentence quashed after over a decade on death row Lemi Limbu, who has severe intellectual disabilities, remains in prison and will now face retrial for the murder of her daughter backed by About this content Sarah Johnson Thu 19 Mar 2026 06. 00 EDT Last modified on Thu 19 Mar 2026 06.

04 EDT Prefer the Guardian on Google A woman with severe intellectual disabilities in Tanzania has had her conviction and death sentence quashed after spending more than a decade in prison awaiting execution. On 4 March, a court in Shinyanga, northern Tanzania, declared she can appeal.

Why This Matters

She will face a retrial, but a date has yet to be set. Lawyers and activists have condemned her sentence, saying she should not be in prison at all. Limbu, who remains incarcerated, is a survivor of brutal and repeated sexual and domestic violence and has the developmental age of a child.

This is part of the larger geopolitical picture unfolding right now.

Key Takeaways

• Under Tanzanian and international law, Limbu should not be held criminally liable , given her intellectual disability.
• My worry is that it could take up to another 10 years if there are more delays.

The Bottom Line

My worry is that it could take up to another 10 years if there are more delays. ” At her first trial, Limbu pleaded not guilty.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.