By Adonis Byemelwa
The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania has joined Tanzanians in condemning the killing of opposition politician, Ali Mohammed Kibao, from the Chadema party.
In a press statement released on platform X, formerly Twitter, the Embassy called for an independent and transparent investigation into the abduction and killing of the Chadema politician.
The statement emphasized that abductions and killings have no place in the country’s democracy.
“Murders, disappearances, arrests, beatings, and other efforts to exclude citizens from last month’s election have no place in a democracy,” the statement said.
The Embassy added that such brutal acts undermine the rights guaranteed by Tanzania’s constitution. It extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Kibao and the nation for the loss of his life and his leadership in civil service.
Tanzania has recently seen a rise in reports of abductions.
Also read: Outrage flares after Kibao’s death as Chadema demands justice and concerns over police brutality
According to Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika, Kibao was on his way to Tanga when he was forcibly taken by armed men.
“Yesterday 8th, September 2024, at around 6 p.m., there was an incident that I describe as an abduction, not an arrest, of Mr. Ali Mohammed Kibao, a member of the Chadema National Secretariat. This happened in Kibo, near Tegeta. Kibao was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga when two cars blocked the bus. Armed men disembarked and ordered the driver to stop the bus. They then went to the seat where Kibao was sitting and forcibly took him,” Mnyika explained.
Kibao was buried today 9th September, 2024 at his home in Tanga, where various political leaders attended the funeral.