Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu fled the East African country on Tuesday and was destined for Europe. 

Lissu had been hiding from the Tanzanian authorities at the German embassy in Tanzania since Friday when he expressed that he feared for his life.

The politician, who was in exile before, shared a video on his Twitter page in which he is seen leaving for the airport flanked by German embassy officials.

He did not, however, reveal which country he was going to but it is believed he is returning to Belgium, where he resided for two years following an attempt on his life in September 2017.

Lissu was shot several times by unknown assailants near his Dodoma home forcing him to undergo more than 20 surgical procedures in Kenya and Belgium. 

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Lissu returned to Tanzania in July to face President John Pombe Magufuli in the November election and lost but refused to accept the results citing irregularities.

Tanzania Electoral Commission has dismissed his rigging claims in the poll in which Magufuli got 84 per cent of all votes cast while he got only 13 per cent.

A total of 14 opposition aspirants challenged Magufuli in the just concluded poll even as many fear Tanzania could be sliding into a uglier phase of authoritarian rule after Magufuli was sworn in for a fresh five-year term.   

Lissu and former Parliamentarian Godbless Lema are among opposition figures who have been forced to flee the country fearing for their lives after the election.