Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – A senior Tanzanian opposition official who was abducted from a bus by armed men has been found dead on the outskirts of the country’s commercial capital. Ally Kibao, a member of the secretariat of the main opposition Chadema party, was discovered with signs of severe beating and acid poured on his face.
The killing of Kibao has sent shockwaves through the country and raised questions about the government’s commitment to political freedoms. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been praised for her efforts to ease repression since succeeding her predecessor, has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe told journalists that Kibao’s body was found on Saturday morning, a day after he was abducted from a bus traveling to the northern port city of Tanga. A preliminary post-mortem revealed that the opposition leader died of severe injuries and chemical burns.
President Hassan expressed her condolences to Kibao’s family and condemned the “brutal act.” She emphasized that her government does not tolerate violence and is committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to apprehend the perpetrators. However, Chadema has accused the authorities of being involved in the abduction and killing of their colleague.
Kibao’s death comes just a month after police arrested and detained hundreds of Chadema supporters during a party meeting. While President Hassan has taken steps to relax restrictions on the media and opposition, human rights groups have criticized the government for continuing to use arbitrary detention as a tool of repression.
