President Samia Shakes Hands with Exiled Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu
Tanzania`s President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday 16th met with exiled opposition leader Tundu Lissu to discuss issues of mutual interest on Tanzanians.
Christine Juma 
The two met in Brussels, Belgium, where Suluhu is attending an Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) meeting, according to a statement released by the Tanzanian State House.
Lissu, the Vice-Chairperson of the opposition political group CHADEMA, was a significant member in previous President Magufuli's administration and had tried to Meet up with Suluhu since she took office.
Exiled Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu with President Samia Hassan. PHOTO TWITTER
In a press release by the Tanzanian statehouse's Twitter account, it stated that the meeting between President the two leaders was done at the request of Tundu Lissu.
“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.
“The brief meeting, which took place in the Belgian capital, Brussels, was held at the request of Mr. Lissu.”
“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,” the statement added.
PRESS RELEASE @venusnyota pic.twitter.com/a5ctZfZ9dZ
— ikulu_Tanzania (@ikulumawasliano) February 16, 2022
Tundu Lissu, a 52-year-old lawyer, was elected to the Chadema seat in 2010 representing a constituency near his birthplace of Singida, around 320 kilometers (200 miles) northwest of Dodoma.
After being elected in 2015, he rapidly distinguished himself as a vociferous critic of the government and, later, President John Magufuli.
He was arrested in March 2017 for "uttering statements meant to damage religious emotions, cause dissatisfaction, and incite ill will for criminal reasons."
Tanzania`s Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu. PHOTO FILE
Then, in July of that year, he was detained on sedition charges after saying that a government-owned plane had been confiscated in Canada due to a $38 million (£29 million) overdue debt.
His audacity has won him fans among both neutrals and supporters of other opposition parties.
