Tundu Lissu won the leadership of Tanzania's main opposition party, Chadema. He beat Freeman Mbowe in a close vote that ended Wednesday morning.
Lissu got 513 votes against Mbowe's 482. The race showed deep splits in the party before Tanzania's October presidential election.
The new leader slammed Mbowe for being soft on CCM, the party that has ruled Tanzania since it became free. Lissu said this made people stop trusting Chadema. Mbowe led the party for over 20 years and said he needed more time to strengthen it.
Mbowe took his loss well. He shared a photo with Lissu on X and wished him luck running the party. Lissu praised the fair vote and asked other parties to run their votes the same way.
Lissu brings a bold style to his new role. He lived through a shooting in 2017 when someone tried to kill him. Doctors did 20 operations to save him after he was shot 16 times.
He ran for president in 2020 but lost to John Magufuli. Lissu then left Tanzania until 2023, coming back after Samia Suluhu Hassan became leader when Magufuli died.
The new party chief says Hassan acts just like Magufuli did—harsh on anyone who speaks up. Police have caught Lissu and other party members lately when they tried to hold public meetings.
Hassan just got picked to run again for CCM. Chadema hasn't chosen who will run against her yet. Expert Nicodemus Minde thinks either Lissu or Mbowe might run if they stay friends after this vote.
Lissu got 513 votes against Mbowe's 482. The race showed deep splits in the party before Tanzania's October presidential election.
The new leader slammed Mbowe for being soft on CCM, the party that has ruled Tanzania since it became free. Lissu said this made people stop trusting Chadema. Mbowe led the party for over 20 years and said he needed more time to strengthen it.
Mbowe took his loss well. He shared a photo with Lissu on X and wished him luck running the party. Lissu praised the fair vote and asked other parties to run their votes the same way.
Lissu brings a bold style to his new role. He lived through a shooting in 2017 when someone tried to kill him. Doctors did 20 operations to save him after he was shot 16 times.
He ran for president in 2020 but lost to John Magufuli. Lissu then left Tanzania until 2023, coming back after Samia Suluhu Hassan became leader when Magufuli died.
The new party chief says Hassan acts just like Magufuli did—harsh on anyone who speaks up. Police have caught Lissu and other party members lately when they tried to hold public meetings.
Hassan just got picked to run again for CCM. Chadema hasn't chosen who will run against her yet. Expert Nicodemus Minde thinks either Lissu or Mbowe might run if they stay friends after this vote.
