The main opposition party in Tanzania has threatened to organise large-scale demonstrations after accusing the authorities of being involved in the “killings and abductions” of its members.
Chadema party announced on Wednesday that it plans to take to the streets of Dar es Salaam on September 23 unless recent disappearances are thoroughly investigated and the missing members are either returned alive or their bodies found.
There were expectations that Tanzania was moving towards a period of democratic freedom under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who succeeded her authoritarian predecessor, John Magufuli, following his sudden death in March 2021.
While President Hassan has relaxed restrictions on the opposition and media, rights groups have raised concerns about recent crackdowns, including the mass detention of Chadema members at a rally last month.
Over the weekend, Ali Mohamed Kibao, a member of Chadema’s national secretariat and a former intelligence officer, was discovered dead after being abducted, assaulted, and subjected to acid attack, according to party leader Freeman Mbowe.
President Hassan expressed her “deep sadness” over the death of Kibao and called for a thorough investigation.
Mbowe informed the party members at headquarters on Wednesday that they have decided to demonstrate to protect their lives and their country, adding that five Chadema officials have recently gone missing. However, one reappeared in court after several weeks and was denied bail.
According to the Tanganyika Law Society, 83 individuals were either kidnapped or went missing between 2016 and 2024.
Mbowe has called for the resignation of Tanzania’s home minister, as well as the heads of police and intelligence, over the disappearances. He also requested that British police be brought in to conduct an investigation.
“We suggest Scotland Yard in the UK to look into the killings and abductions of people within the last two years. Tanzanian security agents are the primary suspects,” Mbowe stated.