Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has condemned the brutal killing of a senior member of the main opposition party, Chadema, who was kidnapped, beaten, and doused with acid. Mohamed Ali Kibao, 69, was forced off a bus by suspected security agents while travelling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga. The post-mortem found Kibao had been “severely beaten” and had acid poured on his face. His death comes amid concerns by opposition and rights groups of a clampdown on political activity.
President Samia condemned the “brutal acts” and called for an investigation into the murder. The US Embassy in Tanzania supported an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation into the killing of Kibao. The US Embassy in Tanzania stated that “murder and disappearances, as well as last month’s detentions, beatings, efforts to disenfranchise citizens ahead of elections, should have no place in a democracy.”
Last month, senior Chadema leaders, Mr. Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, were arrested after they attempted to hold a youth rally. Police banned the rally, saying it was intended to cause violence. In July, an artist was accused of burning an image of President Samia and sentenced to two years in prison. Many people fear Tanzania could be returning to the repressive rule of late President John Magufuli, despite his successor, Ms. Samia, lifting a ban on opposition gatherings and promising to restore competitive politics.
(BBC)
