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 had acid thrown at him.
Mohamed Ali Kibao, 69, was forcibly removed from a bus on Friday as he was traveling from the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, to his hometown of Tanga by suspected security personnel . His body was found in the seaside district of Yunior in Dar es Salaam, local media reported.
Party chairman Freeman Mbo told AFP that an autopsy found Mr Kibao had been “severely beaten and had acid thrown in his face”.
President Samia condemned these “barbaric acts” and called for an investigation into the murder.
“I have ordered the investigating agencies to provide me with details of this horrific incident and other similar incidents as soon as possible,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Our country is a democracy and every citizen has the right to live,” she added.
Mr Kibo’s killing comes as opposition and human rights groups fear a crackdown on political activity.
“We cannot allow our people to continue to disappear or be killed like this. The lives of Chadema leaders are currently in danger,” Mr Mbau told AFP.
Mr. Kibao is a retired military intelligence officer who joined Chadema in 2008.
Mr Kibao’s killing sparked widespread condemnation across Tanzania, with many demanding the government take action over reports that several other people had been abducted and killed.
Last month Chadema senior leader, Mr Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu arrested after they attempted to hold a youth rally.
Police banned the rally, saying it was aimed at sparking violence.
July, An artist has been accused of burning an effigy of President Samia and sentenced to two years in prison.
Many fear Tanzania could return to the repressive rule of late President John Magufuli, even though his successor, Ms Samia, has lifted a ban on opposition rallies and pledged to return to competitive politics.
In August, Human Rights Watch said an increase in arrests of opposition activists was a “bad sign” as the 2025 presidential election approaches.
