Attacks against individuals with albinism in Tanzania, driven by superstitions, tend to increase during election periods. These incidents, which include killings, mutilations, and grave desecrations, have prompted government and civil society responses focused on awareness and protection, though challenges remain.
Context of Albinism and Superstition
Albinism is a rare genetic condition affecting an estimated 30,000 people in Tanzania, characterized by reduced melanin. Individuals with albinism are targeted due to a false belief that their body parts bring wealth, luck, or political success. Activists indicate that attacks and killings intensify prior to elections, attributed to individuals seeking political influence.
Individual Experiences of Violence
Mariam Staford, 42, reports experiencing fear during election seasons in Tanzania. She states that attacks on individuals with albinism intensify around elections due to heightened witchcraft beliefs, leading her to avoid participating in political campaigns.
In 2008, Mariam Staford experienced an attack in her home in Kagera, a north-western border region, during preparations for local elections. Men entered her bedroom at night and amputated her right hand above the elbow, removing it, and also amputated her left hand. She was transported to a dispensary the following day, unconscious. A doctor declared her deceased, advising her return home for burial. Mariam survived the attack, but her five-month pregnancy ended.
The attack resulted in Mariam's permanent disabilities and her relocation from Kagera, identified as a region with a high incidence of ritualistic killings targeting individuals with albinism. She resettled in Kilimanjaro region, where Under the Same Sun, a rights group, provided her with a house and training on a knitting machine. She currently produces sweaters. Mariam reports experiencing dreams of the attack and states that upon waking, she is reminded of her amputated arms.
Mariamu Emmanuel was killed in 2008 at the age of five. Her brother, Manyashi Emmanuel, 25, states that he was eight years old when he witnessed her legs, hands, and tongue being removed by attackers. He reports experiencing fear since that event, particularly during periods preceding elections.
Statistical Overview of Incidents
According to Under The Same Sun, 211 incidents targeting individuals with albinism and their body parts have occurred in Tanzania since 2008. These incidents include:
- 79 killings
- 100 mutilations resulting in survival
- 3 cases where victims were not injured
- 2 abductions with individuals remaining missing
- 27 grave desecrations with body parts looted
In 2008, 35 reported murders of individuals with albinism occurred, with the possibility of additional unreported deaths.
Responses and Commemoration
The reported killings led to international condemnation and a subsequent government response. Then-President Jakaya Kikwete condemned the attacks and advocated for increased action against perpetrators. Tanzania intensified investigations into witchcraft-related killings of individuals with albinism and strengthened anti-discrimination laws. Public awareness campaigns regarding the issue have also been initiated.
A monument has been erected at a traffic roundabout in Sengerema, north-western Tanzania, commemorating individuals with albinism who were killed or maimed in attacks. The life-size metal statue depicts a father holding a child with albinism on his shoulders while a mother provides shade. Mariam Staford's name is inscribed on the monument, as is Mariamu Emmanuel.
Current Situation and Ongoing Challenges
Attacks continue despite awareness campaigns. A recent incident occurred in June this year in Simuyu, a north-western town. The victim was unharmed and has since been relocated to a safe house.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently issued a warning against harmful traditional beliefs, stating they are incompatible with Tanzanian elections. Senyi Ngaga, a district commissioner in an area susceptible to attacks, reports that government education campaigns have increased understanding, but rural areas remain vulnerable to superstitions and discrimination. She advocates for greater community involvement to prevent attacks. Ngaga reported that a festival was held with traditional healers, where discussions took place and participants were advised to advocate against such acts and promote the protection of individuals with albinism, particularly as elections approach.
Campaign groups and survivors indicate that further government action is required. However, progress has been observed, with awareness drives, civil society programs, and school inclusion initiatives contributing to a reduction in attacks in certain areas. Communities are reportedly developing an understanding that individuals with albinism are not cursed and that superstitions can lead to fatal outcomes.
The murder of two-year-old Asimwe Novath in Kagera region last year underscored the persistence of the issue. Witnesses reported that two unidentified men forcibly abducted her from her home while she was with her mother. Seventeen days later, portions of Asimwe's body were discovered in a sack beneath a bridge in the same region. Her remains were subsequently buried at her family home. Nine suspects have been charged with premeditated murder in connection with the killing; the case remains ongoing.
Mariam Staford's Election Day Plans
Mariam Staford stated that the case of Asimwe Novath evoked memories of her 2008 attack. She avoids crowds and typically does not leave her home unaccompanied. With Wednesday's vote approaching, Mariam has indicated she will not cast a ballot. She plans to remain at home in Kilimanjaro on election day.