The disappearance of a former Tanzanian ambassador and outspoken government critic, Humphrey Polepole, is a deeply troubling development that raises urgent questions about human rights and state accountability in Tanzania.
Development Diaries reports that Polepole’s family said they were alerted about a break-in on the morning of 06 October 2025 at the Dar es Salaam residence of the former diplomat and outspoken government critic.
The door was broken when they arrived, electrical wires were cut, and a significant amount of blood was at the scene, according to Amnesty International’s report.
The violent break-in at his Dar es Salaam residence, the blood found at the scene, and the history of similar attacks point to a growing pattern of silencing dissenting voices through intimidation, abduction, and violence.
Such incidents undermine democratic expression and the right to personal security guaranteed under both Tanzanian and international law.
Polepole, who previously held a senior position in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, stepped down from his diplomatic role earlier in 2025 after openly criticising the government for neglecting justice, the rule of law, and constitutional governance.
This case is especially alarming given Tanzania’s record of enforced disappearances in recent years.
United Nations human rights experts have already called on the Tanzanian government to end the use of abductions and secret detentions as tools of repression against political opponents, human rights defenders and journalists.
Victims are often taken by unidentified individuals suspected to be linked to state agencies, with no acknowledgement or explanation offered, a hallmark of enforced disappearance under international human rights law.
The recurrence of such incidents, particularly as the country heads toward general elections scheduled for 29 October 2025, signals shrinking civic space and rising authoritarian tendencies.
Polepole’s disappearance follows a personal warning, his sister’s abduction and assault just three months earlier, showing that intimidation against government critics and their families is neither isolated nor accidental.
The fact that his lawyer had to file a habeas corpus application underscores the level of fear and distrust in state institutions that are supposed to guarantee justice.
Instead of providing protection, these institutions appear complicit or indifferent, eroding citizens’ faith in law enforcement and governance.
Development Diaries joins Amnesty International in calling on Tanzania’s authorities to act swiftly and transparently to locate Polepole, ensure his safety, and hold those responsible accountable.
The government must also publicly commit to ending enforced disappearances and political intimidation.
Photo source: Amnesty International
