Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered a swift and detailed investigation into the murder of CHADEMA official Mohamed Ali Kibao, whose body was discovered in Dar es Salaam after being abducted, severely beaten, and doused with acid.

 

Kibao, a member of CHADEMA’s national secretariat, was kidnapped at gunpoint on Friday while traveling by bus from Dar es Salaam to Tanga. His body was found Saturday night in the Ununio district, causing an outcry from opposition leaders and the public. According to CHADEMA party leader Freeman Mbowe, a postmortem confirmed that Kibao had endured severe injuries before his death.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of opposition members in Tanzania, especially after several CHADEMA leaders were briefly detained last month. “We cannot allow our people to continue disappearing or being killed like this,” said Mbowe, who emphasized the rising risks faced by opposition figures.

In response, President Samia expressed her sorrow and extended condolences to Kibao’s family and CHADEMA officials. She affirmed her commitment to justice, stating that the government under her leadership would not tolerate such acts of cruelty. The President has instructed investigative authorities to provide a comprehensive report on Kibao’s murder and other similar incidents as a matter of urgency.

Kibao, a 69-year-old retired military intelligence officer, had been a CHADEMA member since 2008.

Police have vowed to investigate the murder thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice, while many Tanzanians await further developments in the case.