Abducted Tanzanian opposition leader Kibao, found dead, acid poured on face

The body of a senior member of Tanzania’s opposition party, Chadema, was discovered on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam after he was abducted from a bus by armed men. His party reported that he showed signs of being beaten, and acid had been poured on his face.

The killing of Ally Kibao, who was part of the Chadema secretariat, could hurt the reform image of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. She has tried to reduce repression since taking office following the death of former President John Magufuli three years ago.

Kibao’s body was found on Saturday morning, just one day after two armed men took him from a bus heading to Tanga, a port city in the northeast. Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe shared this information with reporters on Sunday, saying, “A preliminary post-mortem shows that Ally Kibao was killed after severe beating and acid was poured on his face.” He added that a complete autopsy report would be available on Monday.

In response, President Hassan announced that she has ordered an investigation into what she called Kibao’s assassination. She stated on social media that Tanzania is a democratic country where every citizen has the right to live, and her government does not tolerate such violence.

The police also confirmed they are looking into this “tragic incident.”

Mbowe called on the President to establish a judicial commission to investigate the abduction and murder of Kibao, suggesting that the police may be involved in the case.

Kibao’s death follows a recent incident where over 500 Chadema supporters, including top leaders, were arrested for trying to hold a meeting in the southwest region of the country.

Since becoming President, Hassan has made some efforts to relax restrictions on the media and opposition, but human rights organizations claim that arbitrary arrests continue.