UN sounds alarm over Tanzania’s "shrinking democratic space"

The United Nations is ringing alarm bells over what it describes as a "pattern of enforced disappearance and torture" under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration.

In a rare and strongly worded statement, UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts called on the Tanzanian government to "immediately stop the enforced disappearance of political opponents, human rights defenders and journalists", warning that the tactics resemble an orchestrated campaign of repression ahead of the country's October general election.

The experts in a Friday statement cited over 200 cases of enforced disappearance since 2019, saying recent incidents — including the abduction and torture of prominent Kenyan and Ugandan activists Boniface Mwangi and Atuhaire — suggest a disturbing escalation.

"This appears to be a deliberate effort to suppress dissent and circumvent the rule of law," the statement noted, adding that victims should be granted full reparations, including medical and legal support.

President Samia, who took office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, is now facing her first electoral test.

But the run-up to the polls is already marred by authoritarian undertones.

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu — a persistent thorn in CCM's side — remains in custody, charged with treason for allegedly inciting unrest.

His Chadema party has been disqualified from the race altogether, after questioning the integrity of the electoral process.

The Tanzanian government has yet to respond to the UN's criticism.

Other Topics To Read

• Tanzania
• Human Rights Violations
• Martha Karua Tanzania
• human rights Tanzania
• Human rights violations Tanzania
• UN sounds alarm over Tanzania’s "shrinking democratic space"
• Headlines