The body of Ally Kibao, a prominent member of the opposition Chadema party in Tanzania, 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 significant concerns about the state of political violence and human rights under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
Kibao was abducted from a bus traveling from Dar es Salaam to the port city of Tanga by armed men on Friday. His body was found the following morning, and preliminary reports indicate that he had been severely beaten and that acid had been poured on his face. Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe confirmed these details, stating that the full autopsy report would be available on Monday. “This brutal act is deeply disturbing,” Mbowe said in a statement late Sunday. “The preliminary post-mortem has confirmed that Ally Kibao was killed after being tortured and had acid poured on him.”
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has publicly condemned the killing and ordered an investigation into Kibao’s death, describing it as an assassination. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), she emphasized her commitment to democratic values and the protection of citizens’ rights, stating, “Our country is democratic, and every citizen has the right to live. The government I lead does not tolerate such brutal acts.”
In response to the tragedy, Mbowe has called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate not only Kibao’s murder but also other incidents of abduction and violence involving opposition members. He alleged that police might be implicated in these acts and called for a thorough examination of their involvement.
Kibao’s death follows a recent pattern of tension between the Tanzanian government and opposition parties. Just a month prior, over 500 Chadema supporters, including top party leaders, were arrested and briefly detained by police while attempting to convene a meeting in the southwest of Tanzania. President Hassan has made efforts to ease media restrictions and promote a more open political environment since succeeding John Magufuli, who passed away three years ago. However, human rights organizations argue that arbitrary detentions and political repression have persisted 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 in Tanzania. As investigations continue, the call for justice and accountability grows louder, with both national and international observers closely watching the government’s response to this alarming incident. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for political freedoms and the need for robust mechanisms to ensure the protection of opposition figures and civil society activists in Tanzania.
In other news – South African actor opens Up about family’s rejection of his Zimbabwean wife
Renowned South African actor Setlhabi Taunyane, widely recognized for his role as Bra Kop on *Rhythm City*, has bravely shared the personal struggles he and his wife have faced due to xenophobic attitudes within his family. In a candid interview on the King David Studio podcast, Taunyane revealed the painful reality of familial rejection rooted in his wife’s Zimbabwean nationality.
In the emotional interview, Taunyane described how his family has never fully accepted his wife, a situation that has cast a long shadow over their relationship. Read More
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