This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
June 28, 2021
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has expressed his readiness to return to the country and work with President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Lissu, who has been living in exile in Belgium since last year's presidential election, made the remarks during the launch of his new book on democracy in East Africa in Nairobi on Saturday.
He said he had already placed phone calls to the new Tanzanian leader and asked for a meeting, with his focus being on the expansion of the democratic space.
According to Lissu, a change in the constitutional order, granting more freedom to opposing voices with divergent opinions, is key for the new President to succeed.
He added that he is still waiting for a response from President Suluhu's personal assistant, who picked his call two days after she was sworn in.
“I did place a call to President Suluhu two days after she was sworn in and the call was picked by her personal assistant, whom I asked to inform the President that I would be happy to sit down with her and discuss the way forward for Tanzania and how we can reform our country. But I am still waiting for a response,” Lissu said.
