Tundu Lissu, the head of the opposition in Tanzania, returns from exile

Tundu Lissu, the head of the Tanzanian opposition, has returned from his self-imposed exile in Belgium, where he had lived since escaping a 16-shot assassination attempt in 2017. 

Hundreds of people cheered and applauded as the outspoken politician was welcomed at the Dar es Salaam airport on Wednesday. 

Lissu was spotted greeting fans who had collected along the roads and were following him on foot, in automobiles, and on motorcycles to a rally while perched through the sunroof of a car and waving the flag of his Chadema party. 

Lissu made a call for Tanzanian political reform there. 

He said, “Let’s not let God shoulder the responsibilities that we can carry.” “The issue of governance is the issue of life’s issues.” “Let’s find a constitutional solution; let’s find a political solution; let’s find a new constitution.” “If you are really exhausted, that is the medication I will give you.” 

Lissu ran for president in the 2020 general election while residing abroad, but she was defeated by the late President John Magufuli. 

Chadema disagreed with the official results, claiming that several anomalies marred the election. 

According to Lissu’s admirers, his homecoming opens the door for the restoration of democracy in the nation. 

The youth wing of Chadema’s national chairman, John Pambalu, also underlined the need for a new constitution. 

We need to see that there are political rights for the actions we are taking to push for the new constitution; his (Lissu’s) contribution is physically required in Tanzania, he said.”The party and the nation both need his input to get to the point where we can design a new constitution that will provide democracy and real freedom.” 

Supporter of Chadema Lightness, Juma, expresses her happiness and optimism for the future in the wake of Lissu’s return. 

“As you can see, we are ecstatic and happy to be at this location to welcome our adored father, who will lead Tanzania as president in 2025,” she said. 

A ban on political gatherings was repealed by Tanzanian President Samia Hassan roughly three weeks prior to Lissu’s homecoming. 

The ban, imposed in 2016 by the then-president Magufuli, forbade political parties from conducting rallies or even engaging in internal political activity. 

Hassan has changed many of her predecessors’ policies after taking office in 2021 as a result of Magufuli’s unexpected death. She loosened limitations on media outlets last year.