Tundu Lissu, Tanzania’s main opposition determine, returned dwelling Wednesday after greater than two years in exile, one of many strongest indications but that efforts by the East African nation’s first feminine president to extend political freedoms and rights protections have been being realized.

Lissu, of the opposition Chadema social gathering, arrived within the port metropolis of Dar es Salaam to a cheering crowd of supporters. He left the nation in 2020 amid a contested election, which he and impartial election observers stated was marred by fraud and irregularities. He stated he was detained and had obtained loss of life threats.

Lissu stated he was emboldened to return due to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s resolution this month to carry a yearslong ban on political rallies that had been seen by some as an try to weaken the opposition. The transfer, he stated, was an indication of the federal government’s dedication to political reforms and gave hope of an finish to the intimidation and prosecution of opposition figures. Lissu had additionally survived an assassination try in 2017 and left the nation then as properly.

“The lifting of the illegal and blanket ban on political assemblies and the release of prisoners informed my decision to go back to Tanzania,” Lissu stated in a telephone interview earlier than boarding a flight from Belgium, the place he had been residing.

He added: “I am happy and hopeful to be going back home.”

Lissu left the airport Wednesday to handle a public rally in Dar es Salaam, the place dozens of individuals waving the social gathering’s flags converged to hearken to him. The gathering was among the many first the opposition social gathering has held because the ban on political rallies was launched in 2016. Lissu was additionally seen hugging Freeman Mbowe, a key chief in his social gathering who was arrested on terrorism-related prices and was launched final yr after eight months.