Exiled Tanzanian Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu Meets President Suluhu in Belgium

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has met with exiled opposition leader and former legislator Tundu Lissu for the first time.

The two met in Brussels, Belgium, where Suluhu is attending an Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) meeting, said the Tanzanian State House.

Lissu, the Vice Chairperson of the opposition political group CHADEMA, was a significant member in the late President John Magufuli’s administration and had tried to see Suluhu since she took office.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan today held a meeting with the Vice Chairman of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party, Mr Tundu Lissu,” read the statement. 

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“The brief meeting, which took place in the Belgian capital, Brussels, was held at the request of Mr Lissu.”

The president did not provide any other specifics about the brief meeting, but it is believed that the two discussed subjects of mutual interest to Tanzanians.

“President Samia, who is also the Chairperson of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, and the Chadema leader discussed various issues of mutual interest on the state of the Tanzanian nation,” continued the statement.

In September 2017, Lissu was seriously injured after his vehicle was riddled with gunshots as it left the Parliament Buildings, in what appeared to be an assassination attempt.

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The incident occurred after Lissu expressed interest in running for the presidency against Magufuli.

He has subsequently traveled to Belgium for treatment, undergoing 25 surgeries, but has stated that he will only return to Tanzania if Suluhu confronts the assassination attempt.

President Magufuli died in March last year of heart difficulties, but according to Lissu, the deceased head of state succumbed to Covid-19.

“Magufuli died of corona. That is one. Number two, Magufuli did not die this evening. I have information from basically the same sources which told me he was gravely ill, I have information that Magufuli has been dead since Wednesday of last week,” said Lissu.

“What should I say? It is poetic justice. President Magufuli defied the world on the struggle against corona… He defied science… And what has happened, happened. He went down with corona.”