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Tundu Lissu is a Tanzanian politician, lawyer, and human rights advocate, known for his outspoken criticism of the government and his advocacy for democracy and good governance. He is a prominent member of the Chadema (Party for Democracy and Progress), the main opposition party in Tanzania.
Lissu gained international attention for his role as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Singida East and his vocal opposition to the policies of former President John Magufuli. He was particularly critical of the government's approach to political freedoms, human rights, and press freedom, as well as its handling of the economy and its authoritarian tendencies.
In 2017, Lissu was shot multiple times in a targeted assassination attempt outside his home in Dodoma, Tanzania's capital. He survived the attack but was critically wounded and spent several months in medical treatment in Belgium. The shooting raised suspicions that it was politically motivated, as Lissu had been a vocal critic of the government. Despite this, the Tanzanian government did not take significant action to investigate the attack.
Lissu returned to Tanzania in 2020 after recovering and again ran for the presidency against John Magufuli in the 2020 general elections. His candidacy was marked by claims of election irregularities and a highly contested result, with the government of Magufuli being accused of suppressing opposition and restricting the freedom of the press.
After Magufuli's death in 2021, Lissu continued to be a key figure in Tanzanian politics, advocating for political reforms, democracy, and justice in the country.