TANZANIA: Four Saudis Linked to Arusha Catholic Church Blast

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.