Unidentified individuals abducted, assaulted, and severely injured a senior official of Tanzania’s opposition party before abandoning her in a forest, her party reported on Sunday, just a month after the similar abduction and murder of another party leader.
These incidents may tarnish the reformist reputation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been commended for easing repression since taking over from John Magufuli, who died in office three years ago.
Human rights campaigners allege that Hassan’s government is targeting political opponents ahead of local elections in December and a national election in 2025, accusations the government denies.
CHADEMA, the main opposition party, said its women’s wing publicity secretary, Aisha Machano, was abducted in the town of Kibiti in the east of the country while on official duties.
“Bodaboda (motorcycle) riders found her in very poor health and in severe pain,” the party posted on social media platform X.
CHADEMA stated that Machano’s abductors demanded to know who instructed her to burn clothes given out by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the 2023 World Women’s Day commemorations in the Kilimanjaro region.
“She was taken to hospital for treatment and has been admitted to the theatre for further medical care,” the party said.
Police spokesperson David Misime confirmed that after receiving information that Machano had been found in a forest in Kibiti, officers had launched an investigation.
“We ask the public to remain calm as the investigation will reveal details of what happened to her, the reasons for the incident, and those involved. Legal action will be taken based on the available evidence,” he said.
Machano is the second senior opposition official to be abducted and tortured in two months. Ali Kibao, a CHADEMA secretariat member, was abducted by armed men from a bus early last month while travelling from Dar es Salaam to the coastal city of Tanga.
Kibao’s body was later found on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, showing signs of beating and acid burns on his face, according to the party.
In September, CHADEMA organised protests in Dar es Salaam against Kibao’s death and other reported abductions and disappearances of opposition officials, which the police prevented.
Last month, President Hassan ordered an investigation into Kibao’s death and all related cases.
