- President Samia gave the lion the name Tundu Lissu
- Tundu Lissu responded with humor
- Both President Samia and Lissu are preparing for a competitive presidential race in 2025
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has given a “troublesome” lion the name of opposition leader Tundu Lissu during a recent visit to the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA).
While observing the unruly lion, President Samia asked if it had a name, and upon learning it did not, suggested the name “Tundu Lissu.”
Lissu, who leads the main opposition party Chadema, had been arrested earlier this year for allegedly inciting violence during a planned youth rally. President Samia remarked that the lion’s behavior—constantly unsettled—mirrored Lissu’s political demeanor.
Lissu, who has a history of political strife including a 2017 assassination attempt that left him severely injured, has responded to this unusual tribute with equanimity. He highlighted his family’s legacy of bravery, recalling his great-grandfather’s encounter with a lion that attacked his cattle.
As Tanzania approaches its next elections, with President Samia seeking re-election and Lissu planning another presidential bid, their political rivalry might very well be mirrored by the lion’s name and the symbolic contest it represents.
