The main opposition leader in Tanzania, Tundu Lissu, left the country for Belgium on Tuesday. This comes after the former presidential candidate rejected the results of the October polls which he asserted had “widespread irregularities” and was a “butchery” of the country’s democratic process. 

Citing threats to his life, Lissu explained that while he was not “fleeing the country,” it was important for him to go back to Belgium in a bid to regroup and come up with a better strategy to take back his allegedly stolen mandate. “I am only going to explore different platforms to reclaim justice, democracy, and dignity of Tanzanians.”

Lissu contested against the incumbent president, John Magufuli, in an election that took place in Tanzania on October 28, 2020. The result of the elections saw Magufuli win in a landslide with 84 percent of the votes to Lissu’s 12.8 percent. According to Lissu and other opposition candidates who participated in the polls, the election was allegedly marred with corruption from the rejection of election observers and cases of ballot stuffing to a massive slowdown in internet and text messaging services. 

Following the elections, the opposition leader had sought refuge at the German embassy since November 2, when he was released by police after hours of interrogation. He and other opposition leaders had urged citizens into the streets for an “endless peaceful demonstration” over the Oct. 28 election, but police blocked the protest.

Magufuli was sworn in for a second-five year term in Tanzania on Thursday, November 5 in the Tanzanian capital. There was heavy police and army security presence ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Opposition Continues To Flee

Lissu’s decision to leave is one of several examples of crackdowns that have forced opposition members out of the country. Two other opposition members, lawmaker, Godbless Lema, and Lazaro Nyalandu have reportedly fled the country for neighboring Kenya.