Abductions in Tanzania: A National Security Concern

Tanzania: Photo collage of 2 members of opposition party Chadema and their associate who were reportedly abducted in August

The persistence of abductions in Tanzania, particularly those targeting political figures, journalists, activists, and businesspersons, has raised significant alarm. While these incidents are often treated as isolated criminal activities, they pose deeper implications for the stability and governance of the nation. This essay argues that these ongoing abductions should be viewed and addressed as a national security problem due to their far-reaching impacts on public trust, the rule of law, economic stability, and the integrity of Tanzania’s democratic institutions.