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Tundu Lissu

A prominent opposition member of parliament in Tanzania has been shot and “seriously wounded” by unknown attackers at his residence in the administrative capital, Dodoma, according to officials.

Tundu Lissu underwent emergency surgery after being shot in the abdomen yesterday. James Kiologwe, a doctor at Dodoma regional hospital, said he was in stable condition.

“[Tundu] Lissu has suffered multiple gunshot wounds,” Tumaini Makene, spokesman for the main opposition CHADEMA party, said shortly after the incident.

“We strongly condemn this attack and are closely monitoring his condition.”

Mwigulu Nchemba, Tanzania’s home affairs minister, confirmed the incident and Lissu’s condition, adding that the government would issue a statement after receiving a medical report.

The motive of the shooting was unclear. Lissu, a fierce critic of President John Magufuli and his government, is the president of the Tanganyika Law Society.

He has previously been arrested by police on several occasions and charged with incitement.

In July, he was arrested and later released after having called Magufuli a “dictator” over alleged attacks on the opposition and the media. — Al Jazeera