Tanzania's President Samia Warns Foreign Activists Amid Opposition Crackdown
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a stern warning to foreign activists—particularly from Kenya—not to interfere in Tanzania’s internal affairs. This follows the deportation of prominent Kenyan and Ugandan lawyers and rights activists who attempted to attend the court case of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
President Samia accused these foreign actors of trying to bring “chaos” and warned: “We will not give a chance to anyone to come and destroy us.”
Key developments:
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Tundu Lissu, leader of the Chadema opposition party, appeared in court in Dar es Salaam amid heavy security, defying what he and his supporters describe as political persecution.
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Lissu, arrested on April 9, is demanding reforms and claims the current legal framework doesn’t support free and fair elections.
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He has been charged with treason and publishing false information, charges he denies. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
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Foreign observers including Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua, activist Boniface Mwangi, and others were deported or barred entry, raising concerns over transparency and international scrutiny.
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President Samia, once hailed for political openness, is now being accused of reverting to repression similar to the era of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
Human rights groups warn of a growing crackdown ahead of Tanzania’s October elections, pointing to arrests, alleged abductions, and the disqualification of the Chadema party from participating in the polls.
