Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan injected a dose of humor into her country’s domestic politics by naming a “troublesome” lion after an opposition leader. The comparison was made during her visit to the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) when officials introduced her to the unruly lion.
“Does that lion have a name?” asked President Samia. “If not, name him Tundu Lissu.”
Tundu Lissu, leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema, was arrested earlier this year for attempting to hold a youth rally, according to the BBC.
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According to police, the event was allegedly aimed at inciting violence.
“It is because he is always unsettled,” President Samia said as she gave the lion its new name on Sunday.
So what does Lissu make of his namesake?
It seems he’s taking it in his stride. “I come from a family of heroes,” he told local media.
“My great-grandfather killed a lion that attacked him and his cattle,” he said.
Lissu, an avowed critic of the Tanzanian government, survived a 2017 assassination attempt in which his car was riddled with over 17 bullets, leaving him severely injured.
The attackers were never identified.
He ran in the 2020 presidential election but lost to the late John Magufuli. Following Magufuli’s death in 2021, then Vice-President Samia assumed leadership of the country.
Tanzania is gearing up for elections next year, with President Samia seeking a second term.
Her main challenger is expected to be Lissu, who plans to run for president once again.
The race sets the stage for a likely showdown between the two, as they battle for political dominance in what could be a fierce contest.
