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Tanzanian Authorities Arrest Critics of Port Deal, Amnesty International Calls for Their Immediate Release
Growing Intolerance for Dissent
Amnesty International has called on the Tanzanian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release three activists who were arrested for criticizing a port deal between Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The activists, former parliamentarian and Tanzanian Ambassador to Sweden Willibrod Slaa, lawyer and activist Boniface Mwabukusi, and political activist Mdude Nyagali, were all swiftly apprehended after speaking out against the accord. The deal sets the stage for collaboration between the UAE and Tanzania on the development, management, and operation of Tanzania’s ports and related infrastructure.
According to Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, this crackdown on critics of the UAE port deal exemplifies the authorities’ growing intolerance for dissent. Chagutah emphasized that the Tanzanian government must put an end to the arbitrary detention of activists who peacefully express their views and insisted on their immediate and unconditional release in order to uphold freedom of expression, a fundamental human right.
The Activists’ Opposition to the Port Deal
The three detained activists have publicly voiced their concerns about the port deal and its potential impact on Tanzania’s national sovereignty and security. Mwabukusi, in particular, led a court petition arguing that the agreement contains clauses that violate Tanzania’s Constitution. He argued that it endangers the country’s security and sovereignty.
Slaa was arrested at his home in Mbweni, Dar es Salaam, on August 13 and taken to Mbweni Police Station. The police conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his communication devices. He was then transferred to Oysterbay Police Station.
Mwabukusi and Nyagali were arrested on August 12 while traveling to Dar es Salaam from Mbeya. Emmanuel Masonga, an opposition party official, was also arrested but was released on the same day with orders to report to Mikumi Police Station on August 14. Mwabukusi and Nyagali are currently being held at the Central Police Station in Mbeya and have gone on a hunger strike since their arrest.
The Authorities’ Response and the Lawyers’ Struggle
Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police, Camilius Wambura, made clear on August 11 that the government would apprehend critics of the port deal, labeling their remarks as “seditious” and claiming they incited the public to overthrow the government. Lawyers representing the detained activists have reported that their clients have been denied bail. They have also stated that the police chiefs in both Dar es Salaam and Mbeya announced that the three critics would be charged with treason, a charge that carries the mandatory death penalty in Tanzania.
However, the lawyers have not yet been presented with any formal charges against Slaa, Mwabukusi, and Nyagali, and the prosecution has withheld any details of the alleged offenses. It is worth noting that under Tanzania’s Penal Code, treason is an unbailable offense. This development is of grave concern, as it appears that the authorities are using the criminalization of public criticism to suppress dissent.
Amnesty International Calls for Transparency and Public Engagement
Amnesty International has voiced its strong opposition to the criminalization of public criticism and calls for the Tanzanian authorities to instead foster an environment that encourages public engagement and discussion on matters of public interest. Tigere Chagutah emphasized that the government must ensure the transparency of all aspects of the UAE port agreement, allowing the public to meaningfully participate and share their views.
Chagutah underlined that freedom of expression and the right to dissent are cornerstones of a democratic society. By stifling voices critical of the port deal, the Tanzanian authorities are undermining democratic values and eroding civil liberties. The detention of activists, the denial of bail, and the potential use of treason charges highlight a worrying trend towards political repression and authoritarianism.
Background on the Port Deal and Previous Arrests
Tanzania’s Port Agreement with the UAE
In October 2022, President Samia Suluhu and Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, CEO of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, signed an agreement on managing ports in Tanzania on behalf of the Emirate of Dubai. Tanzania’s Parliament endorsed the agreement on June 10, 2023. The deal has been met with strong criticism and concerns about its potential impact on national sovereignty and the management of natural resources.
Previous Arrests and Criticism of the Port Deal
Between June and August 2023, numerous individuals were arrested for expressing their criticism of the port deal. Rugemeleza Nshala, a lawyer, activist, and former President of the Tanganyika Law Society, fled the country in July after facing intimidation and death threats for speaking out against the agreement. Mwabukusi and Nyagali were arrested on July 14, shortly after holding a news conference in Dar es Salaam where they voiced their concerns about the deal’s implications.
Analysis and Editorial
The arrest and detention of individuals for peacefully expressing their views and criticizing the government’s actions is a concerning development for Tanzania, considering its previous reputation as a relatively stable democracy in East Africa. The government’s response to public dissent regarding the UAE port deal, characterized by arbitrary detentions and the threat of treason charges, signals a worrying shift towards authoritarianism.
In any democratic society, freedom of expression and the right to dissent are vital safeguards that protect the interests of citizens and ensure accountability from those in power. It is essential for governments to foster an environment that encourages open dialogue, transparency, and public engagement on matters of public interest. This includes robust and uninhibited conversations around international agreements that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
By arbitrarily detaining activists and criminalizing public criticism, the Tanzanian authorities appear to be deliberately stifling dissent and limiting the freedom of expression of its citizens. Treason charges, which carry the mandatory death penalty, are an extreme and disproportionate response that further suppresses opposing voices.
Amnesty International’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of Slaa, Mwabukusi, and Nyagali resonates strongly with the principles of democracy and the respect for human rights. The government must prioritize the protection of civil liberties and the right to freedom of expression if it wishes to maintain its democratic credentials.
The treatment of these activists sends a concerning message to the international community about the direction in which Tanzania is heading. It is crucial for global organizations, governments, and civil society to closely monitor the situation in Tanzania and demand the government’s respect for democratic principles and human rights.
Advice
For the Tanzanian government:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release Willibrod Slaa, Boniface Mwabukusi, and Mdude Nyagali to ensure the protection of their rights to freedom of expression and to demonstrate a commitment to upholding democratic values.
2. Prioritize transparency by providing the public and civil society organizations with all relevant information on the UAE port deal.
3. Create an environment that encourages open dialogue, constructive criticism, and public engagement on matters of significant public interest.
4. Work to address concerns raised by critics of the port deal and engage in meaningful discussions to address potential implications for national sovereignty, security, and the management of natural resources.
For the international community:
1. Monitor the human rights situation in Tanzania closely and raise concerns about political repression and the shrinking space for civil liberties in diplomatic engagements.
2. Call for the Tanzanian government to respect and protect freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
3. Support and amplify the work of human rights organizations, journalists, and activists in Tanzania who are working under increasingly challenging conditions.
<< photo by Zulmaury Saavedra >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.