Fiery Tundu Lissu Seizes Leadership of Tanzania’s Main Opposition Party

In a closely watched contest, veteran Tanzanian politician Tundu Lissu has unseated longtime chair Freeman Mbowe to become leader of the main opposition party, Chadema. Lissu campaigned on a platform calling for leadership changes, accusing Mbowe—who chaired the party for more than 20 years—of becoming too conciliatory toward the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). According to Lissu, this perceived shift had eroded public confidence in Chadema.

Voting results at the party’s assembly saw Lissu secure 513 votes (51.5%), narrowly beating Mbowe, who garnered 482 votes (48.3%). Mbowe conceded the outcome, publicly acknowledging the party assembly’s decision and extending his congratulations to Lissu via his social media account. Observers view the leadership transition as a potential milestone for Chadema ahead of the country’s presidential elections scheduled for October.

Lissu is known for his fiery brand of politics, which has led to spirited disagreements with rivals, particularly from the ruling party. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt during the late President John Magufuli’s administration and spent years undergoing multiple surgeries abroad. Although he briefly returned in 2020 to challenge Magufuli for the presidency, Lissu eventually went into exile until 2023, when he returned under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.

Since his homecoming, Lissu has accused President Samia of maintaining a repressive climate for dissenting voices. He has also loudly protested recent abductions, disappearances, and the arrest of opposition figures. His victory at Chadema’s helm is viewed by many analysts as a signal of the party’s intent to provide robust opposition as Tanzania heads toward the upcoming elections.