Amnesty International has voiced deep concern over the disappearance of Humphrey Polepole, a well-known critic of the Tanzanian government, amidst a disturbing pattern of similar incidents across the country. The rights group urgently called on the Tanzanian authorities to intensify their efforts to locate Polepole and ensure the accountability of those responsible for his and other disappearances.

On October 6, the unsettling scene at Polepole's residence—a broken door, severed electrical wires, and visible blood traces—was discovered by the police, who also confiscated items such as his safe and printer. The circumstances have led to fears that government forces might be involved, prompting Polepole's lawyer to file a habeas corpus application. This legal move seeks to challenge the legitimacy of his detention if he is in state custody. Earlier in the month, Polepole’s sister also vanished, an event he deems to be politically motivated.

Previously affiliated with Tanzania's ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Polepole has become an outspoken critic following what he perceives as a departure from the party's foundational constitutional values. Under President John Magufuli's leadership, the CCM has faced increasing scrutiny. Critics accuse Magufuli of morphing the country into a "one-man state," sidelining the internal checks that previously moderated the party’s dominance. His administration has been marked by tactics aimed at consolidating power, including media restrictions, opaque election processes, and the coercion of influential supporters through financial pressure.

The broader context of these actions includes a troubling spike in the number of enforced disappearances, with around 200 opposition leaders and dissenting voices missing. Notable cases include journalists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire, who were allegedly abducted, beaten, and in Atuhaire’s case, sexually assaulted by plain-clothes police officers.

Tanzania is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Forced Disappearances. Both treaties obligate the nation to abstain from practices like torture and extrajudicial arrests and to take effective measures to prevent forced disappearances.

The international community, along with local and global human rights organizations, continues to watch the situation closely, urging the Tanzanian government to adhere to its international commitments and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of its citizens. The ongoing pattern of forced disappearances not only undermines the rule of law but also casts a long shadow over Tanzania's commitment to human rights and democratic principles.