Kidnapped opposition leader from Tanzania found dead, his face doused with acid

The body of Ally Kibao, a prominent member of Tanzania's opposition Chadema party, was discovered on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam on Saturday morning, showing signs of severe abuse and possible acid attacks. The discovery has raised serious concerns about political violence and the human rights situation under the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Kibao was abducted by armed men on Friday from a bus travelling from Dar es Salaam to the port city of Tanga. His body was found the next morning. Initial reports indicate that he had been severely beaten and had acid thrown on his face. Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe confirmed these details and said the full autopsy report would be available on Monday. “This brutal act is deeply disturbing,” Mbowe said in a statement late Sunday. “The preliminary autopsy has confirmed that Ally Kibao was killed after being tortured and having acid thrown on him.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan publicly condemned the murder and ordered an investigation into Kibao's death. She described it as an assassination. On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), she emphasized her commitment to democratic values ​​and the protection of civil rights, saying: “Our country is democratic and every citizen has the right to live. The government I lead will not tolerate such brutal acts.”

Reacting to the tragedy, Mbowe called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate not only Kibao's murder but also other cases of kidnappings and violence involving opposition members. He claimed that the police could be involved in these acts and called for a thorough investigation into their involvement.

Kibao's death follows a pattern of recent tensions between the Tanzanian government and opposition parties. Just a month earlier, over 500 Chadema supporters, including senior party leaders, were arrested and briefly detained by police as they attempted to convene a meeting in southwest Tanzania. President Hassan has made efforts to ease media restrictions and promote a more open political environment since succeeding John Magufuli, who died three years ago. But human rights groups argue that arbitrary arrests and political repression have continued even under her leadership.

The murder of Ally Kibao not only casts a shadow over President Hassan's reformist image, but also raises serious questions about the safety of political activists and the integrity of law enforcement agencies in Tanzania. As investigations continue, calls for justice and accountability are growing louder, and both national and international observers are closely monitoring the government's response to this alarming incident. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle for political freedoms and the need for robust mechanisms to protect opposition figures and civil society activists in Tanzania.

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