Tanzania President Samia Suluhu has finally reconciled with the exiled opposition leader and Chadema leader Tundu Lissu.
According to a press release on Wednesday, February 16, by the Tanzanian State House, the two met in Brussels, Belgium, where Suluhu is attending an Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) meeting.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan today held a meeting with the Vice-Chairman of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party, Mr. Tundu Lissu,” read the statement.
The statement said the meeting was held at the request of Lissu was was a leading opposition figure during the former President John Magufuli’s administration.
“The brief meeting, which took place in the Belgian capital, Brussels, was held at the request of (Tindu) Lissu.” the statement added.
“President Samia, who is also the Chairperson of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, and the Chadema leader discussed various issues of mutual interest on the state of the Tanzanian nation,” the statement added.
Many political pundits opine that the meeting between President Suluhu and the Chadema leader points to the begging of the reconciliation process in Tanzania.
Lissu, a fierce critic of the late (President John) Magufuli administration, in September 2017 survived what was seen as an assassination attempt after his car was sprayed with bullets after he had announced interest to challenge Magufuli for the presidency.
The assassination attempt happened during President Samia Suluhu’s reign as the vice-president of Tanzania in the Magufuli regime.
In the past Lissu had expressed readiness to return to Tanzania only if Suluhu addresses his assassination attempt.
The handshake between the two mirrors, the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader Raila Odinga who at one point were strong rivals.
