Grief, shock, and horror filled the air as CHADEMA members and leaders gathered at Mwananyamala Hospital, awaiting the postmortem results of Ali Mohamed Kibao (69), a CHADEMA Secretariat member. Kibao, who was abducted on September 6, 2024, was later found dead in Ununio, Dar es Salaam.
In a press briefing on September 7, 2024, CHADEMA Secretary General John Mnyika who wrote on X about the abduction on the evening of July 06, 2024, recounted the information gathered from witnesses. Kibao was taken near the Kibo area in Tegeta, Dar es Salaam while traveling from Dar es Salaam to Tanga on a Tashriff bus, registration number T 343 EES. Two vehicles, a white Landcruiser and a saloon car blocked the bus, one in front and the other behind.
Armed men emerged, instructing the bus driver to stop. Two men entered the bus, handcuffed Kibao, and removed him from the bus, another passenger who witnesses believed was working with the abductors also stepped down with the armed men.
Kibao’s Body Found, Face Disfigured
At a press briefing today September 8, 2024, CHADEMA Chairperson Freeman Mbowe revealed that Kibao’s body was discovered on the morning of September 7, but initially, no one could confirm his identity. After CHADEMA’s press briefing on the same day, news spread, and it was later confirmed that the body found was indeed Kibao’s.
Before the postmortem examination today, there was a scuffles between state officials and CHADEMA members at Mwananyamala Hospital over whether party officials could witness the postmortem. Following some disputes, CHADEMA lawyer Hekima Mwasipu was eventually allowed into the postmortem room. In the afternoon, at around 3 pm, Mbowe briefed the press on the postmortem findings.
“The postmortem is complete, and it’s evident that Ali Kibao was killed after severe beating, torture, and having acid poured on his face. He died a painful death,” Mbowe told reporters.
Kibao, a father of six, was a former army veteran who served in the 1979 Uganda-Tanzania war. After a long military career, he ventured into business and politics, holding various political roles, especially in his hometown of Tanga. He had switched affiliations from NCCR and CUF to CCM, where he became Handeni’s party leader before joining CHADEMA.
Calls for Accountability, President Responds
Kibao’s death comes amid CHADEMA’s search for other abducted leaders, whom the party believes were taken by state authorities. These include Temeke youth leader and activist Deusdedith Soka, Temeke Secretary Jacob Godwin Mlay—both abducted on August 18, 2024—and Dioniz Kipanya, who went missing on July 26, 2024.
“Our lives are in danger, if you’re a CHADEMA leader, your life is at risk. We cannot allow our country to become a place where people disappear and cold-blood murder is a norm. Authorities must be held accountable,” Mbowe emphasized.
He added: “The President should come forward and make a statement on this matter and establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry because the police do not have the competence to investigate this matter at all.”
ACT Wazalendo leader Dorothy Semu echoed Mbowe’s sentiments, urging the President to clarify what is happening with the rising abductions of activists, politicians, and businessmen.
“We need the President of Tanzania to inform the nation about what is happening and what measures are being taken to stop these ongoing abductions and killings,” Semu said.
The Legal and Human Rights Centre also issued a statement, demanding a transparent investigation and urging the Minister of Home Affairs to explain the steps taken to curb these incidents. The rights body called on President Samia to condemn the abductions.
Later on in the day, President Samia issued a statement via X, expressing sadness over Kibao’s murder and extending condolences to his family and CHADEMA leadership. “I have instructed the investigative bodies to provide a detailed report on this tragic event and others like it immediately. Our country is democratic, and every citizen has the right to live. The government that I lead does not tolerate such cruel acts,” President Samia said.
The police also issued a statement saying a major crime investigation team from the DCI had been dispatched to strengthen the team that is already investigating the incident to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
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Family Reaction
At Mwananyamala Hospital, Shariff Abdallah Ally, Kibao’s younger brother, spoke on behalf of the family. He shared that Kibao had left instructions for his funeral to be held in Sahari, Tanga, and his body to be buried at the family home in Pangani.
“We are in shock. We first heard of his abduction online, and later, we learned that he was killed,” Shariff said as he was briefing reporters.
On X, one of Kibao’s sons, also named Ali Kibao, described his father as a principled man who could not easily be swayed. “Our father didn’t seek fame or greatness. His pride was his children and grandchildren. He was a man of principles, stubborn but steadfast,” he wrote.
He added: “He touched so many lives and never asked for anything in return. Now, they’ve brutally murdered him because of those same principles. Is this the kind of country we want for Tanzanians? They didn’t just abduct him. They tortured him, damaged his body, and dumped him like a dog. No human deserves such cruelty.”
Kibao’s funeral is set for tomorrow in Tanga, with CHADEMA members from various regions already organizing to attend.
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