Tanzania: Four Saudis linked to church blast

Written by DAILY NEWS Reporters.

THE government strongly condemned a terrorist bomb attack on new Catholic church in Arusha that killed three people and wounded 58 others, vowing to pursue the suspects behind the incident wherever they are and bring them to justice.

President Jakaya Kikwete said on Sunday night that he was shocked and deeply saddened by reports of the blast, describing the incident as “an act of terrorism.”

The president, who was in Kuwait on a two day visit, on Monday decided to cut short the tour, following the fatal explosion and return home to console bereaved families and the victims, the State House said in a statement.

It said the president has cancelled several engagements including a visit to the largest oil company in Kuwait and meetings with the Prime Minister and other top officials.

Presenting the government’s statement in the National Assembly, the Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, said so far six suspects including four foreigners have been arrested.

The minister named one of the suspects as Victor Calisti Ambrose (20), a commuter cyclist, who is alleged to have thrown the fatal device into the St Joseph’s church compound. He, however, did not disclose identity of the other five suspects.

But Arusha Regional Commissioner, Magesa Mulongo and Regional Police Commander Liberatus Sabas earlier said that the foreigners were Saudis. “On behalf of the government, I join all Tanzanians to condemn all the people involved in this ugly incident,” said the minister, adding:

“The government will use all its powers to ensure that the culprits are traced wherever they are and brought to justice.” Dr Nchimbi said lately there have been efforts by some individuals to provoke religious hatred and fighting among Tanzanians, linking the Arusha incident to such attempts.

“I want to assure Tanzanians that the government will not tolerate any conduct likely to disrupt peace and tranquility that the citizens have always enjoyed. We will take stern measures against all people involved regardless of their political, social or economic status in the community,” said the minister.

Despite apprehending the six suspects, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Said Mwema has formed a task-force to investigate the blast, believed to be a bomb attack that killed 45-year old Regina Longino Kurusei and James Gabriel (16).

The attack also injured 59 people, with three of them still in critical conditions. The minister further confirmed that none of the religious leaders at the mass was injured.

The blast hit the new Catholic Church at Olasiti area in the tourist city of Arusha during a mass attended by the Arusha Diocese Bishop Josephat Lebulu and the Vatican Ambassador to Tanzania, Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla who were in attendance for the official opening of the church.

Later on the day, debating Dr Nchimbi’s budget estimates, Members of Parliament from the opposition in particular, accused the government of being the main cause of the religious tension in the country.

Mr Joseph Mbilinyi (Mbeya Urban - Chadema), Mr David Silinde (Mbozi West - Chadema) and Tundu Lissu (Singida - East) demanded the resignation of the minister and IGP for alleged failure to execute their duties.

“Silence is the greatest sedition,” Mr Tundu Lissu (Singida West - Chadema) said, claiming that by the government deciding to keep silent on the bombing and torching of churches as well as the killings of religious leaders, the state was impliedly supporting the movements.

Tanzania has recently received threats from Congolese fighters, M-23, who want to overthrow the government of Mr Joseph Kabila. In their message, M-23 rebels warned of massive attacks to Tanzanians if the Tanzanian government would send troops to disarm them under the UN peacekeeping programme.

Source: Daily News (07/05/2013): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/17154-four-saudis-linked-to-church-blast