CHILDREN's rights defenders have urged the government to investigate and determine the causes of recent incidents involving abductions and disappearances of children, in order to halt these practices.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam during an event to commemorate and pray for children who were recently abducted and killed, stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of investigations and actions taken against perpetrators, despite ongoing efforts.

"Such incidents tend to increase during the approach of general elections. We propose that security and protection of children be enhanced from the family level to the national level," said Rebeca Gyumi from the local organisation Msichana Initiative.

On June 3rd this year in the Kagera region, two-year-old Asimwe Novart was abducted while in his mother's arms and later found dead with some organs removed. On July 15th in the Dodoma region, Sumaiya Issa was reportedly kidnapped and remains missing. On July 7th in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, another child, Nusra Omari, was found dead with some body parts missing. On July 17th in Dodoma, Theresphoa Mwakalinga was found dead with organs missing.

Stakeholders called for President Samia Suluhu Hassan's intervention to address the alarming situation causing fear among stakeholders.

"All institutions responsible for public security should fulfill their duties and expedite investigations into these incidents," she said.

A child rights activist from the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC), Getrude Dyabene, acknowledged the government's efforts to protect children but lamented the continued violence against them.

"These actions not only violate human rights but also contravene the Constitution of Tanzania and its laws," she added.

"The Police Force has been reporting such incidents, but we are dissatisfied with the measures in place to prevent them," she continued.

Rogasian Massue from the Tanzania Child Rights Forum (TCRF) advised the Police to promptly respond to and prioritize reports of missing children without waiting 24 hours.

"Parents, guardians, educators, and the community at large, let's enhance child protection measures. Encourage children to move in groups, establish community watch groups, and educate them against accompanying strangers," he urged.