Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe, alongside senior party officials, has rushed to Mwananyamala to confirm the identity of the deceased. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam-In a chilling development, the family of Ally Mohammed Kibao, a prominent member of Chadema's National Secretariat, has been informed of a body resembling his discovered at Mwananyamala Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam. The unsettling news, which broke early on the morning of Sunday, September 8, 2024, has sent shockwaves through Chadema’s leadership and the broader public.
The discovery of the body has stunned the party's leadership. Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe, alongside senior party officials, has rushed to Mwananyamala to confirm the identity of the deceased. "The police have informed the family that a body matching Ally Kibao's description has been found. We are now heading to Mwananyamala to confirm this distressing news," said John Mrema, Chadema’s Director of Protocol, Communications, and Foreign Affairs.
Kibao, a well-known figure within Chadema, was reported missing after he was allegedly abducted on the evening of September 6, 2024. The incident occurred at Kibo Complex in Tegeta, Dar es Salaam, where he was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga on a TASHRIF bus. Unidentified individuals forcibly removed him from the bus.
The discovery of Kibao’s body discarded in the Ununio area and reportedly in a severely decomposed state has deepened the tragedy. The remains are now at Mwananyamala Hospital, where Chadema's leadership and Kibao’s family are grappling with the heartbreaking task of confirming his identity.
The news of Kibao’s death comes amid escalating concerns about abductions and disappearances in Tanzania. The Tanzanian Police Force has confirmed that an investigation into Kibao’s abduction is underway. Police Spokesperson David Misime, in a statement on September 7, 2024, revealed that investigations began immediately upon receiving the report, following remarks made by Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika.
“The Police Force would like to inform the public that upon receiving the report, investigations began immediately to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, its origin, and the individuals involved,” Misime stated. However, attempts by The Respondent Online to reach Misime for further comment on Sunday morning were unanswered, adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding the case.
Earlier that day, Mnyika had publicly reported the kidnapping of Kibao during a press conference. He described the abduction, which occurred near Kibo in Tegeta, Dar es Salaam, as a deliberate and brutal act.
“The bus was intercepted by two unmarked vehicles, from which armed individuals emerged. They went straight to where Ally Mohammed Kibao was seated, forcibly took him, assaulted him, and then drove away with him,” Mnyika said.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend of wanton abductions and disappearances that have plagued Tanzania in recent months. Human rights advocates and civil society organizations have raised alarms about the rising number of such incidents, which they argue are undermining the rule of law and stoking fear among the populace. The use of unmarked vehicles and armed individuals in these abductions is seen as an escalation in the level of violence and intimidation used against political figures and activists.
The abduction and subsequent death of Kibao have intensified calls for urgent reforms and greater accountability within the Tanzanian security forces. Chadema leaders and supporters are demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into his death, urging authorities to address the broader issue of enforced disappearances that have become increasingly common.
As the investigation into Kibao’s death continues, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Tanzania in maintaining law and order and protecting the rights of its citizens. The tragic events surrounding Kibao’s abduction and death highlight the urgent need for enhanced protection for political activists and a crackdown on the disturbing trend of disappearances that threaten to destabilize the nation.