Tundu Lissu Speaks Out After Angola Travel Standof

Tundu Lissu Recounts Angola Ordeal, Confirms Forum Was Successful
Friday, March 21, 2025

Dar es Salaam – Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu has shared details of his challenging experience in Angola, where he remained resolute amid a diplomatic standoff that saw several high-profile African political figures barred from entering the country to attend a key democracy summit.

Speaking after his return to Tanzania early Friday morning, Lissu recounted how he was able to stay in Angola and ultimately attend the three-day Africa Democracy Forum (PAD), despite being held at the airport for nine hours by Angolan authorities on March 13, 2025.

Lissu was among several prominent delegates initially denied entry at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport. Others included Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud and ACT-Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu, both of whom were forced to return to Tanzania after being blocked.

The Angolan government's actions also affected former presidents from Botswana and Colombia, the former Prime Minister of Lesotho, and various political party leaders from across the African continent.

The PAD forum, organized by The Brenthurst Foundation, faced early disruption due to these diplomatic hurdles. Othman and Semu returned to Tanzania on separate flights and publicly condemned the Angolan government's move, calling it a serious affront to regional democratic discourse.

Despite the setbacks, Lissu revealed that his persistence paid off. “I stood my ground,” he said. “I didn’t use any special channels—I just demanded an explanation. I asked them, what crime are we being accused of? Why are we being denied entry into Angola, a country with deep historical ties to Tanzania?”

Lissu noted that after hours of insistence and negotiation, the authorities relented. “From midday until around 9 p.m., we stayed at the airport. Eventually, we were let in—but we couldn’t proceed to Benguela as planned. Instead, the forum was relocated and held in Luanda.”

While he acknowledged the venue change was less than ideal—given the extensive preparations made in Benguela, including plans for a major public gathering—Lissu confirmed the summit proceeded successfully.

Campaign Trail: 'No Reforms, No Election' Initiative Begins

Lissu also confirmed his readiness to lead Chadema’s nationwide campaign, No Reforms, No Election, which is set to launch on March 23, 2025, in the Nyasa Zone. The campaign is scheduled to run for 48 days and aims to raise public awareness and pressure the government into enacting electoral reforms.

The Nyasa Zone encompasses the regions of Iringa, Mbeya, Rukwa, Songwe, and Njombe. From April 4–10, the campaign will move to the Southern Zone, which includes Ruvuma, Mtwara, and Lindi.

“This campaign seeks to empower citizens with knowledge to demand systemic electoral reforms,” Lissu said, reaffirming his commitment. “I’ve returned [from Angola], and on the 23rd, we’ll be in Mbeya. I’m fully fit and prepared—we’ll move forward as God enables us.”

The campaign slogan, No Reforms, No Election, was officially adopted by Chadema’s Central Committee in December 2024 and ratified during the party’s General Assembly on January 21, 2025.

On March 18, 2025, Chadema's top leadership, including Secretary-General John Mnyika, responded to a summons by the Registrar of Political Parties, who requested clarification on the campaign in relation to Tanzania’s Political Parties Act.

According to Chadema’s Deputy Secretary-General (Mainland), Benson Golugwa, the campaign will involve two teams—one led by Lissu and the other by Mainland Vice-Chairperson John Heche—covering constituencies across the Nyasa Zone. The teams will reunite in Iringa Town on March 29 to conclude that leg of the tour.

Alongside Lissu and Heche will be deputy secretaries and Central Committee members, tasked with engaging citizens on the party’s stance that no elections should take place without significant reforms to the current electoral system.