First Albino Elected for Parliament in Tanzania

The Tanzania elections were held last Sunday. The results are not officially out but it looks like President Jakaya Kikwete will retain his position. The delay in the results has cause concern that the results are being rigged and the main opposition (Chadema) has asked for a re-run. The request has been denied so far by the National Electoral Commission claiming even if there are any discrepancies in the results it will not alter the results majorly.

All in all let’s go back to the meat of this article which is the election of the first Albino in the parliament. This is big news since Albinos in Tanzania are targeted for body parts for use in witchcraft. The witchdoctors have claimed magic potions for brining good luck can be made with albino body. The albino killings have been continuing despite efforts from the government to stop this gruesome practice. Not only they hide from the sun but also from the witch doctors and those in need of the good luck magic potion.

The elected Member of Parliament is Mr. Salum Khalfani Bar’wani from the opposition Cuf party. Mr Bar’wani said he was thankful to the voters in Lindi Urban, in the remote south-east of the country, for choosing him and that it shows Albino are capable people.

Indeed this is good news in educating people of Tanzania and East Africa who practice this despicable act that Albinos are human beings like anyone else  in this world and  are not a recipe for the so called magic potions for good luck!!!