By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has named a lion after one of the country’s opposition leaders, Tundu Lissu.
Lissu is the leader of the main opposition party CHADEMA is a former presidential candidate, who is seeking election next year’s presidential poll.
President Hassan was visiting the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) on Monday when she was introduced to the “unruly” lion by officials.
“Does that lion have a name?” asked President Hassan. “If not, name him Tundu Lissu.”
“It is because he is always unsettled,” President Hassan said as she gave the lion its new name.
Heritage Times HT reports that earlier in the month, Lissu was arrested after the police placed a ban on a conference organised by CHADEMA’s youth wing BAVICHA, saying the event was likely to breach the peace.
Lissu however has no issue with the naming of the lion after him, saying he is from family of heroes.
“I come from a family of heroes,” he told local media.
“My great-grandfather killed a lion that attacked him and his cattle,” he said.
Lissu, a notable government critic, had survived a gun attack in 2017. His car was sprayed with over 17 bullets, but he escaped with heavy injuries.
President Hassan came to power in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli and had lifted a ban on political rallies and relaxed restrictions on media.
Lissu ran for office in 2020, but lost against the late Magufuli.
President Hassan who was then the vice-president, became leader in 2021 after Mr Magufuli died while in office.
She has come under heavy criticism by opposition parties and rights groups for clamping down on those planning to stage a protest against a port management deal last year.