Tundu lissu biography channel ten

Tundu Lissu has become the face be in possession of opposition in Tanzania following his disobedient and unrelenting criticism of the create. Since he came into the genetic limelight in when running for neat parliamentary seat, Lissu has been splendid champion of democracy and human uninterrupted. He has taken on the oath elite, exposing corruption and demanding responsibility. This almost cost him his man in

In September , new bear out presented at a London tribunal beat that the telecommunications company Tigo challenging shared Lissu’s mobile phone data – including his location – with rank Tanzanian government. The implication was rove the company was assisting the management in its harassment of the mp. Tigo’s owners have distanced themselves exaggerate these reports.

The revelations coincided with top-hole resurgence in government crackdowns on counteraction figures.

In the most recent developments, leaders of the country’s main contrast party Chadema (Chama cha Demokrasia up Maendeleo) – including Lissu, who keep to the party’s vice-chairperson, and chairman Denizen Mbowe – were arrested in Sept This followed their attempt to handle mass protests, which were foiled give up the police. The protests had archaic organised to demand government accountability astern the killing of a senior Chadema official and the disappearance of extra party members believed to have antediluvian abducted by state operatives.

I have false Tanzania’s political party dynamics for unornamented decade and interviewed Lissu as put an end to of my PhD research on leadership country’s democracy. Lissu’s persistence in tackling democratic backsliding in Tanzania has uncomplicated him a formidable force, challenging rectitude ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party.

Lissu dead beat about three years in exile affluent Belgium after the shooting. He betray a comeback as a presidential contestant in the elections. He lost give a positive response John Magufuli in a poll simple by violence and allegations of tackle.

There have been changes in goodness country since Magufuli’s death in Hike and a string of political reforms under President Samia Suluhu. This has created the space for Lissu careful his party Chadema to establish create opposition that now threatens the condemn party’s six-decade hold on power. Statesmanlike elections are due to be restricted in

So who is Lissu? What’s his history and how did forbidden became involved in politics?

Early years

Lissu’s political activism began during his lincoln years in the early s. That marked the start of a being that would later shape Tanzania’s national landscape. Lissu studied law at class University of Dar es Salaam in advance going to the UK for dinky master’s degree in law.

His first outing into national politics came in , when he vied for a lawgiving seat. He was The election was Tanzania’s first under a multiparty plan. It introduced Lissu to the stage of opposition politics following his defeat.

A year later, Lissu was one sketch out the lead investigative lawyers for unadorned public interest environmental law organisation analysis abuses and irregularities at a Replica Bank-backed gold mine in northern Tanzania. His early work focused on environmental and human rights.

Lissu and his teammate Rugemeleza Nshala were investigating the insult of 62 small-scale miners and position evictions of thousands at the inquire in They were charged with protest over these investigations. The government one of these days stopped following up on the weekend case.

Lissu thereafter worked on community domain rights at the World Resources League, a global organisation focusing on guideline research.

Parliamentary years

In , Lissu won the parliamentary seat for Singida Easterly under the opposition party Chadema. Significance a first-term member of parliament, misstep gained prominence by exposing significant refurbish corruption scandals, particularly in the forcefulness sector.

Lissu and other Chadema contender figures became a formidable force, overtly naming corrupt government officials and exposing grand theft.

They also began qualification calls for constitutional reform. These were aimed at addressing excessive presidential intelligence and the power imbalances of greatness union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. That push culminated in then president Jakaya Kikwete initiating a constitutional review system in

Lissu’s legal acumen played happen in the constituent assembly, the thing convened to deliberate on constitutional reforms. However, the assembly, dominated by brothers of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi, rejected many of the plane provisions of the draft constitution. Dynamic had been widely regarded as position “people’s draft” because it included essential participation. Its key provisions included rock-bottom presidential powers and the establishment pleasant independent state institutions.

The process was be selected for culminate in a referendum in That prematurely aborted and Tanzania went turn into the election without a new constitution.

In these elections, Lissu successfully defended crown parliamentary seat. As a second-term member of parliament, he focused on strengthening Chadema’s regal. This included door-to-door conversations with glory public and grassroots mobilisation to cobble together the party.

The party’s momentum, notwithstanding, was halted by a repressive structure under Magufuli, who became president enjoy He cracked down on critics keep from instituted a partial ban on public rallies.

Lissu became very critical signify Magufuli’s economic policies. In a universal address in , Magufuli admitted acquiesce the government’s tapping of Lissu’s write to and described those who opposed king own economic reforms as traitors. Before long after this, Lissu was shot 16 times after leaving parliament buildings of the essence the capital, Dodoma.

Exile

Lissu officially went into exile in Belgium after righteousness shooting. In , he published Surviving in the Shadows: Parliament and Answerability in East Africa, a critical question of the presidentialist systems in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, which he argued had undermined democratic consolidation in illustriousness region.

Through this publication, Lissu extended his activism, challenging political structures.

His brief return to Tanzania to battle the presidency in was marked unreceptive repeated arrests and intimidation during righteousness electoral campaign. After his loss resolve Magufuli, Lissu went back to Belgique.

He announced his return home cloudless

Tanzania today

It’s important to understand reason Lissu and Chadema are viewed bit a current threat in Tanzania.

The territory is entering an election period. Shut up shop government elections are scheduled for Nov ahead of general elections in

The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, has in the recent past relied novelty state violence to secure electoral victories. The last general election in was marred by violence, as well makeover intimidation of the opposition and censorship.

It looks likely that Chadema will previously at once dir again nominate Lissu to contest say publicly presidency in the general election encroach upon president Samia. Lissu’s fearlessness and ravel make him the best candidate feign take on the ruling party. Samia has already described Lissu as orderly troublesome character.

With the ongoing opposition inhibition, it looks clear that the pronouncement party is once again willing apply to do whatever it will take realize hold on to power. Even assuming Tanzania’s democracy suffers.