Tanzania's main opposition party has chosen a new leader ahead of general elections due in October at a time when it faces increasing political repression.

Tanzania has been ruled by the same party since independence. It was founded in 1992, shortly after Tanzania adopted a multiparty system of democracy. Party chairman Freeman Mbowe has been rallying his members to forge a united front.

After steering Tanzania’s leading opposition party, Chadema, through two tumultuous decades of political battles, transformative campaigns, and unyielding advocacy for democracy, Freeman Mbowe’s tenure as chairman has officially come to an end,

Prominent Tanzanian politician Tundu Lissu has been elected chairman of the main opposition party Chadema, ousting long-running leader Freeman Mbowe in an intense race. Lissu campaigned for changes in the party leadership while criticising the way it was being run,

Tanzania’s main opposition party elected Tundu Lissu as its chairman Wednesday, a victory that positions him to contest the presidential election later this year.