Series of Abductions and Killings drive waves of fear in Tanzania, tainting the country’s image

As the country heads towards the General Elections in 2025, the series of abductions and killings being reported in Tanzania is driving waves of fear among residents and concern around international communities.

The Tanganyika Law Society, under the new TLS President, Boniface Mwabukusi is among the local institutions that have been raising alarm regarding people, especially activists and politicians disappearing, calling for national dialogue.

But when a member of the opposition party’s National Secretariat was recently forced off the bus he was traveling in at gunpoint by some alleged security agents, the entire country was in uproar.

Ali Mohamed Kibao, was traveling aboard the Tashrif Bus from Dar-es-Salaam City heading to Tanga when an armed gang stopped the vehicle entered into the cabin and threw him out.

Armed to the teeth, the abductors were meanwhile warning other passengers not to interfere or take pictures.

However, things became worse when the victim, Mr Kibao, who was an official of the CHADEMA party was discovered dead at the Ununio waterfront in Dar-es-salaam with his face splashed with acid in what seemed like a failed attempt to conceal his identity.

His son, Ali Kibao wrote that the deceased was a kind and principled person and that their family never suspected that he would come to this cruel end.

“But if our father’s cruel murder would serve as seed towards future liberation to prevent other families from facing the same predicament, then let him rest as a hero,” concluded the grieved son.

The Police was swift to release a statement through the force’s spokesperson David Msiime, saying they were ‘investigating the murder!’ something which would further irk the mass.

Later, President Samia Suluhu also released a statement of consolation to the opposition CHADEMA party, calling upon the security organs to address the issue.

However the CHADEMA secretary, John Mnyika tweeted on ‘X’ saying it more or less sounded like ‘plausible deniability,’ because the party suspected the same security organs to be involved.

Tanzania, a country which a few decades ago was seen as a peaceful nation is now rapidly swirling into an abyss of fear and uncertainty.

With the killing of such a prominent person, many Tanzanians are now convinced that the many others that were previously abducted and remain missing may never be found alive again.