Tanzania Muslim Council joins call for independent investigation into abductions and killings

Dar es Salaam. The National Muslim Council of Tanzania, popularly known by its Kiswahili acronym as Bakwata, has joined a growing chorus of stakeholders demanding an independent investigation into the recent wave of abductions and killings of civilians.

Bakwata’s call for an impartial probe comes amid mounting pressure from human rights advocates, politicians, and religious leaders, all urging for transparency and accountability in addressing these grave incidents.

The urgency for an independent investigation follows disturbing reports of disappearances and violent attacks. On September 6, 2024, a member of the opposition party Chadema, Ali Kibao, was abducted by unknown assailants while traveling on a Tashriff bus near Kibo Complex, Tegeta in Dar es Salaam.

His body was discovered the following day, abandoned in Ununio, Dar es Salaam, after he had been murdered.

On Monday, September 16, 2024, Bakwata’s Secretary General, Nuhu Mruma, addressed these concerns during the Maulid Council in Geita, an event commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The event was attended by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Mruma emphasized that Tanzania’s reputation for peace was being compromised by recent violent incidents.

“Despite our nation’s history of peace, the current spate of abductions and killings threatens to undermine that tranquility,” Mruma stated. “Bakwata stands with President Hassan in condemning these heinous acts and calls for an impartial investigation by the security forces.”

He urged that the investigation be free from favoritism and bias, and that it should not only identify the perpetrators but also uncover their motives to prevent future occurrences. “We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, find solutions, and take appropriate legal action. Citizens should act as ambassadors of peace and refrain from actions that could disrupt the nation’s harmony.”

In a related development, the Mufti of Tanzania, Abubakar Zubeir, welcomed Prime Minister Majaliwa at the Maulid Council and called on Muslims to focus on personal and national economic development, prioritize education, and safeguard national peace.

Bakwata’s position echoes the concerns voiced by the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), which has strongly condemned the recent surge in abductions and killings. During the closing ceremony of the Fifth Eucharistic Congress of the Catholic Church at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on September 15, 2024, TEC leaders called on state authorities to take decisive action to restore Tanzania’s reputation for peace and stability.

The collective calls for an independent investigation underscore the growing demand for justice and accountability in the face of ongoing violence.