Ali Mohamed Kibao (c. 1955–2024) was a veteran political activist and senior member of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo). His life and career spanned decades of political transition in Tanzania, concluding in a highly publicized and controversial case of abduction and murder in 2024.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ali Mohamed Kibao |
| Born | c. 1955 (Age 69 at death) |
| Died | September 2024, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Political Party | CHADEMA (Secretariat Member) |
| Former Affiliation | CCM, CUF, NCCR |
| Military Background | Veteran of the 1979 Uganda-Tanzania War |
| Cause of Death | Murder following abduction (Severe beating, torture, and acid burns) |
| Significance | His murder intensified fears regarding the safety of opposition leaders and activists in Tanzania. |
Military and Political Background
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Army Veteran: Kibao was a seasoned figure who served in the Tanzanian military, notably participating in the 1979 war against Idi Amin’s Uganda. After a long military career, he transitioned into business and then politics.
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Political Nomad: His political journey saw him affiliate with several parties, including the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), where he served as a party leader for the Handeni district, before joining the opposition ranks, aligning with parties like NCCR and CUF.
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CHADEMA Elder: In his later years, he became a dedicated and influential member of CHADEMA, holding a position within the party secretariat and focusing his political work in the Tanga region. He was seen as a principled elder statesman within the opposition.
Abduction and Assassination (2024)
Kibao’s death became a symbol of the political crisis facing Tanzania’s opposition, particularly following the government’s controversial decision to bar CHADEMA from elections and the imprisonment of its Chairman, Tundu Lissu.
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The Abduction: On September 6, 2024, Ali Mohamed Kibao was abducted near the Kibo area in Dar es Salaam while traveling on a bus. Reports indicate that the bus was blocked by two vehicles, and armed men seized him.
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Discovery of the Body: Days later, his body was found in the Ununio area of Dar es Salaam.
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Brutal Cause of Death: CHADEMA leaders, including former Chairman Freeman Mbowe, confirmed after the postmortem that Kibao had been tortured, severely beaten, had acid poured on his face, and died a painful death.
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Political Fallout: CHADEMA publicly stated their conviction that he was killed due to his political principles and dedication to the opposition. Kibao’s death occurred amidst the ongoing search for other abducted opposition activists, including Jacob Godwin Mlay (mentioned in the previous question), intensifying domestic and international alarm over the safety of democratic dissenters in Tanzania.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan publicly ordered an investigation into the murder, acknowledging the seriousness of the crime. However, the lack of arrests in this and other related cases continues to fuel suspicion and political tension in the country.