Tanzania Replaces Expelled Opposition MP Tundu Lissu

Yesterday Tanzania’s parliament officially replaced one of Magufuli’s fiercest critics, Tundu Lissu.

Mr Lissu survived an assassination attempt on his life in September 2017, when unknown gunmen shot him 16 times. He has been recuperating in Belgium since January 2018.

In his absence the government took the opportunity to expel him from parliament and run a by-election in which a CCM party candidate ran unopposed.

Opposition MP Esther Bulaya joined other CHADEMA MPs in boycotting the swearing-in of the new MP, “How could we be part of the oath while Lissu has been unfairly expelled from parliament? Everybody knows that he is currently still receiving medical treatment.”

This move has been seen by many as another example of Magafuli attacking the once stable East African democracy.

He is rumoured to be returning to Tanzania this week and some analysts see Lissu as a possible front-runner to become the main opposition presidential candidate in next year’s general election to challenge Magufuli’s bid for a second and final term in office.