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Tanzanian politician and Member of Parliament for Simanjiro, Christopher Ole Sendeka, has miraculously survived an assassination attempt.
Ole Sendeka, a member of the ruling political party CCM, was attacked by unknown assailants who shot multiple bullets at his car on Friday evening, March 29, 2024, in the Ndaleta area of Kiteto District. He and his driver were traveling to his constituency in Simanjiro when their vehicle was ambushed by assailants who opened fire on them. Fortunately, neither Ole Sendeka nor his driver sustained any injuries, although their car was heavily damaged by multiple gunshots. The perpetrators, armed with both large and small weapons, fled the scene after the attack, leaving Ole Sendeka and his driver shaken but alive.
The incident raises serious concerns about the safety and security of politicians in Tanzania and sheds light on the growing political tensions within the country.
The Acting Regional Police Commander for Manyara, Lucas Mwakatundu, confirmed the details of the incident and assured that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, Ole Sendeka remained composed and managed to escape by firing shots in the air to scare off the assailants.
He expressed uncertainty about the motives behind the attack and the identity of the perpetrators, highlighting the challenges of identifying and apprehending individuals responsible for such acts of violence.
Ole Sendeka’s assassination attempt is not an isolated incident in Tanzania’s political landscape. It comes nearly 8 years after another prominent politician, Tundu Lissu, was shot 16 times in a politically motivated attack in the capital city of Dodoma.
Lissu survived the assassination attempt but required extensive medical treatment, including multiple surgeries. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack on Lissu, underscoring the prevailing culture of impunity for crimes targeting politicians in Tanzania.
Ole Sendeka’s political career has been marked by his involvement in various leadership roles within the ruling party CCM and public service. He previously served as CCM’s spokesperson and Niombe’s Regional Commissioner, demonstrating his commitment to public service and governance in Tanzania.
According to human activists in Tanzania, the attempted assassination of Christopher Ole Sendeka highlights the volatile political environment in Tanzania, where acts of violence against politicians have become increasingly common.
Adding that, lack of accountability for such crimes poses a significant challenge to the rule of law and democratic governance in the country and It is imperative for the Tanzanian government to prioritize the safety and protection of politicians, ensure thorough investigations into acts of violence, and hold accountable those responsible for undermining the country’s democratic institutions.
The activists added that, the Christopher Ole Sendeka’s case now underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to safeguard politicians in Tanzania and uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law and government must take decisive action to address the culture of impunity surrounding political violence and ensure that those responsible for such acts are brought to justice.Adding that It is essential for Tanzania to uphold the values of democracy, freedom of expression, and political pluralism to safeguard the rights and safety of its political leaders and citizens
