NAIROBI, Kenya – The U.S. is turning up the heat on Tanzania after the alleged abuse of two East African activists sparked a regional and international outcry.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, May 24, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs voiced serious concern over the alleged torture of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist and human rights advocate Agather Atuhaire while in Tanzanian custody.
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists,” the statement read, calling for an “immediate and full investigation” into the human rights violations both individuals claim to have suffered.
Allegations of Torture and Humiliation
Mwangi, a well-known photojournalist and political activist, was detained for over three days before being deported by road to Ukunda, Kenya. His ordeal, which he described as “the worst form of torture I’ve ever experienced,” included physical abuse and threats of public shaming should he speak out.
Images shared online showed Mwangi with visible injuries and a frail gait, prompting widespread concern from fellow activists and the public. He was later airlifted to Nairobi, where he remains hospitalized.
Agather’s situation was no less harrowing. She was dumped at the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania on Friday, May 23, in what her lawyer, James Kamau, described as a “blatant case of abuse.” He confirmed she was in poor health and had suffered physical and psychological mistreatment.
Both activists were in Tanzania to observe the high-profile treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, a case that has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation around democracy and civil liberties in the region.
U.S. Calls for Accountability Across East Africa
The U.S. didn’t mince words when it came to regional responsibility either. In its statement, the Bureau urged East African governments to ensure that those behind such abuses are held accountable.
“We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture,” the U.S. said, in a clear signal that the pressure isn’t just on Tanzania.
The statement echoed sentiments already circulating among human rights organizations across East Africa, many of whom have accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of reverting to the heavy-handed tactics seen under previous regimes.
In the hours following his release, Mwangi issued a fiery public statement, promising to expose what he described as “a campaign of intimidation and torture” orchestrated by the Tanzanian government. He also accused Suluhu directly of enabling repression.
The diplomatic temperature is rising quickly, with human rights groups urging international bodies to investigate not just this case, but a worrying trend of shrinking civic space across East Africa.
