Tanzania leader condemns killing of opposition figure doused in acid
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has condemned the brutal killing of a senior member of the main opposition party, Chadema, who was abducted, beaten, and doused with acid.
On Friday, 69-year-old Mohamed Ali Kibao was forcibly removed from a bus by suspected security agents while traveling from Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city, to his hometown of Tanga.
His body was later discovered in Ununio, a waterfront district of Dar es Salaam, according to local media.
The post-mortem revealed that Mr. Kibao had been “severely beaten and had acid poured on his face,” as reported by party chairman Freeman Mbowe to AFP.
President Samia has denounced these “brutal acts” and called for a thorough investigation into the murder.
“I have ordered the investigation agencies to bring me detailed information about this terrible incident and others like this as soon as possible,” she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Our country is a democracy, and every citizen has the right to live,” she added.
Mr Kibao’s killing comes amid concern by the opposition and rights groups of a clampdown on political activity.
“We cannot allow our people to continue disappearing or being killed like this. The lives of Chadema leaders are currently at risk,” Mr Mbowe told AFP.
Mr. Kibao, a retired military intelligence officer who joined Chadema in 2008, will be laid to rest on Monday in the Darigube district of Tanga city.
His killing has sparked widespread outrage across Tanzania, with many calling on the government to address reports of additional abductions and killings.
Last month, senior Chadema leaders, including Mr. Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, were arrested while attempting to hold a youth rally, which police had banned, citing concerns of potential violence.
In July, an artist was sentenced to two years in prison for burning an image of President Samia.
There are growing fears that Tanzania may be reverting to the repressive practices of the late President John Magufuli, despite President Samia’s efforts to lift the ban on opposition gatherings and her promises to restore competitive politics.
Human Rights Watch expressed concern in August over the rising arrests of opposition activists, calling it a troubling sign with the 2025 presidential elections approaching.