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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has named a “problematic” lion after one of the country’s opposition leaders.
President Samia was visiting the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) when officials briefed her on the unruly lion.
“Does the lion have a name?” President Samia asked. “If not, call him Tundu Lissu.”
Mr Lissu, leader of the main opposition Chadma party, was arrested earlier this year for trying to hold a youth rally that police said was aimed at inciting violence.
“It’s because he’s always restless,” Ms Samia said as she gave the lion a new name on Sunday.
So what does Mr. Lissu think of his namesake?
He looks very relaxed.
“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.
Mr. Lissu, a prominent critic of the government, survived an armed attack in 2017. His car was hit by more than 17 bullets, but he managed to escape, seriously injured. The perpetrators have never been found.
Mr Lissu ran for public office in 2020 but lost to the late John Magufuli.
Ms Samia, then vice president, became leader in 2021 after Mr Magufuli died in office.
Elections are scheduled for next year, with President Samia planning to run for a second term. Mr Lissu also plans to run for president again.
The two will likely go head to head to see who will be crowned the King of the Jungle.
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