Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 8:59AM GMT Tues, 10 September, 2024

Tanzania’s opposition is reeling after the tragic death of Ali Kibao, a member of the secretariat of CHADEMA, Tanzania’s most prominent opposition party. Kibao was abducted by armed men while traveling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga, sparking concerns over political violence in the East African nation. His lifeless body, showing signs of beatings and severe acid burns to the face, was found a day later, on Saturday.

This incident has sent shockwaves across Tanzania’s political landscape, coming just a year before the country’s 2025 presidential election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has taken steps to relax restrictions on opposition activities, strongly condemned the killing. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), President Hassan reassured the public that her government “does not condone such heinous acts” and pledged an exhaustive investigation into the crime.

Political Tensions Heighten in Tanzania
The abduction and subsequent murder of Kibao have ignited fears of growing tensions between the ruling government and opposition groups. Opposition leader Freeman Mbowe revealed the grim details of Kibao’s fate late Sunday. According to Mbowe, Kibao was attacked while on a bus journey from Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, en route to Tanga, a port city in the northeast.

Mbowe, visibly shaken, addressed mourners on Monday, calling for the president to initiate an independent commission to investigate Kibao’s death. “It is impossible for the same police, who are suspected in this, to investigate this matter,” Mbowe declared, reflecting widespread skepticism about the government’s role in providing justice.

The CHADEMA party, often at odds with the Tanzanian government, has been under increasing pressure. While President Hassan has allowed for more freedom of political expression than her predecessor, John Magufuli, many opposition figures have faced harassment and detention, creating an atmosphere of insecurity.

The Legacy of Political Violence in Tanzania
While acid attacks are rare in Tanzania, this latest killing is a reminder of the violent methods used against political opposition in the past. Freeman Mbowe himself was arrested and held without charge last year, as tensions between the ruling government and the opposition escalated.

Acid attacks have historically been associated with targeted crimes, such as personal disputes or religious conflicts in East Africa, but their use in the political sphere is alarming. Observers fear that as the presidential election approaches, political violence may escalate.

Tanzania, known for its generally peaceful transitions of power, has seen a sharp rise in political violence and suppression over the past decade. The sudden death of Ali Kibao, a vocal opposition figure, casts a dark shadow on Tanzania’s future as the nation gears up for a highly anticipated election in 2025.

International Community Calls for Transparency
The international community is now watching closely, with human rights groups urging Tanzanian authorities to conduct a transparent and independent investigation into Kibao’s death. Advocacy groups have highlighted that political repression in Tanzania has become a worrying trend, despite the government’s assertions of commitment to democracy and human rights.

President Hassan’s government faces mounting pressure to resolve this case and ensure that justice is served, as the global spotlight intensifies on Tanzania’s treatment of opposition figures. If her administration fails to conduct a credible investigation, it risks further alienating international allies and eroding public trust domestically.