Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu condemns murder of abducted CHADEMA official

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu has confirmed the murder of Mohamed Ali Kibao, a leader of the opposition party Chadema.

In a statement issued on Sunday, September 8, 2024, Suluhu called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

"Kwa masikitiko makubwa nimepokea taarifa ya mauaji ya kiongozi wa CHADEMA Bwana Mohamed Ali Kibao. Natoa pole kwa viongozi wa chama hicho, familia ya Mzee Kibao, ndugu, jamaa na marafiki. Nimeagiza vyombo vya uchunguzi kuniletea taarifa ya kina kuhusu tukio hili baya kabisa na mengine ya namna hii haraka. Nchi yetu ni ya kidemokrasia na kila raia ana Haki ya kuishi. Serikali ninayoiongoza haivumilii vitendo vya kikatili vya namna hii," Suluhu stated.

It can be translated to: It is with great sadness that I received the news of the murder of CHADEMA leader Mohamed Ali Kibao. I extend my condolences to the leaders of the party, the family of Mzee Kibao, and his relatives and friends. I have ordered the investigation agencies to bring me detailed information about this terrible incident and others like it as soon as possible. Our country is democratic, and every citizen has the right to live. The government I lead does not tolerate such acts.

Kibao, a member of CHADEMA's national secretariat, was reportedly forced off a bus on Friday while travelling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga.

His body was discovered on Saturday night in the Ununio waterfront district of Dar es Salaam.

"The postmortem has been conducted (witnessed by) CHADEMA lawyers, and it is clear that Kibao was severely beaten and had acid poured on his face. We cannot allow our persons to continue disappearing or being killed like this. The lives of CHADEMA leaders are currently at risk," said party leader Freeman Mbowe on Sunday.

The incident occurred less than a month after CHADEMA leader Freeman Mbowe, his deputy Tundu Lissu, and other party leaders were briefly detained in a mass roundup ahead of a planned youth event.