Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has strongly condemned the killing of Mohamed Ali Kibao, a senior member of the main opposition party Chadema. Kibao, 69, was reportedly kidnapped, beaten, and doused with acid before being found dead. The incident has sparked outrage across the country.
Kibao was forced off a bus on Friday by suspected security agents while traveling from Dar es Salaam to his hometown of Tanga. His body was later discovered in Ununio, a district near the waterfront in Dar es Salaam. According to Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe, a post-mortem revealed that Kibao had been “severely beaten and had acid poured on his face.”
In a statement, President Samia denounced the attack and ordered a swift investigation. “I have instructed the investigation agencies to provide me with detailed information regarding this horrifying act and similar incidents,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “Our country is a democracy, and every citizen has the right to live.”
Kibao’s murder has heightened fears of escalating violence against opposition members. Freeman Mbowe expressed concern about the safety of Chadema leaders, stating, “We cannot allow our people to continue disappearing or being killed like this. The lives of Chadema leaders are currently at risk.”
Kibao, a former military intelligence officer, joined Chadema in 2008. His burial is scheduled for Monday in Darigube, Tanga.
The killing has reignited concerns about political repression in Tanzania. Last month, Chadema leaders Mbowe and Tundu Lissu were arrested while attempting to hold a youth rally. Police banned the event, citing fears of violence.
These incidents have prompted many to question whether Tanzania is sliding back into the oppressive rule seen under the late President John Magufuli, despite President Samia’s earlier moves to lift a ban on opposition gatherings and restore political freedoms. Human Rights Watch recently raised alarm over the increased arrests of opposition activists, calling it a “bad sign” with the 2025 elections approaching.