In a light-hearted moment during her visit to the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), President Samia Suluhu Hassan bestowed an unusual honor on a particularly unruly lion. While being introduced to the lion by officials, President Samia inquired whether the animal had a name. Upon learning that it did not, she quipped, “If not, name him Tundu Lissu,” in reference to the leader of the main opposition party, Chadema.
President Samia explained her choice by noting, “It is because he is always unsettled,” a remark that drew laughter from those present. Tundu Lissu, known for his fiery critiques of the government, was arrested earlier this year for attempting to hold a youth rally that police claimed was intended to incite violence.
When asked about his namesake, Mr. Lissu took the comparison in stride, remarking to local media, “I come from a family of heroes.” He recounted a story of his great-grandfather, who once killed a lion that attacked him and his cattle.
Mr. Lissu, who survived a brutal gun attack in 2017 that left his car riddled with bullets, has been a persistent thorn in the side of the government. Despite the dangers, he continues to be a vocal critic and is expected to run against President Samia in the upcoming elections next year.
As the political landscape heats up in Tanzania, the two figures may find themselves facing off once more—not just in the electoral arena, but in the metaphorical “jungle” of Tanzanian politics.
