Tanzania has accused foreign organizations, including the U.S.-based Open Society Foundations (OSF), of funding a network of East African activists who were recently detained and deported from its territory.
Those deported include prominent Kenyan and Ugandan figures such as activist Boniface Mwangi, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, politician Martha Karua, and human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire.
The group had travelled to Tanzania to support opposition politician Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
In a statement issued by the Tanzania Police Force on Thursday, authorities said the activists were part of a foreign-funded plan to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.
“Following recent events involving the detention and deportation of individuals linked to foreign-funded networks, the police wish to reiterate that no nation will allow its domestic affairs to be manipulated by external actors under any guise,” read the statement.
The police claimed that preliminary investigations showed coordination and support from foreign-based civil society organizations with political intentions. “Some of these networks are directly linked to previous incidents in neighboring countries and financed by institutions such as the Open Society Foundation,” the statement added.
The incident has triggered regional and diplomatic concern. In Uganda, journalist Agather Atuhaire, who had been missing since her arrest in Dar es Salaam on Monday, was confirmed safe after being dumped at night at the Mutukula border crossing. Her family and friends confirmed on Thursday that she had spoken to them and was on her way home.
“Agather is on her way home. She was dumped at the Mutukula border last night – we spoke a little while ago,” said Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo. Godwin Toko of Agora also confirmed he had spoken to her.
There are concerns about her health and claims that she may have been tortured during her detention.
Meanwhile, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who had also gone missing on Monday, was found and deported on Thursday. He was abandoned at the Lunga Lunga border and later taken to a hospital in Diani, Kwale County, for treatment. His wife, Njeri Mwangi, confirmed that he looked weak and injured upon arrival.
The Kenyan government expressed frustration over Tanzania’s refusal to grant consular access to Mwangi during his detention.
“Despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr Mwangi,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. “The Ministry is also concerned about his health, overall wellbeing and the absence of information regarding his detention.”
Kenya demanded that Tanzania comply with international obligations, citing the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which gives consular officials the right to communicate with and assist detained nationals.
The Ministry also noted that public pressure and diplomatic efforts had played a role in Mwangi’s release, as Kenyan citizens had threatened protests outside the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi.
Mwangi had travelled to Tanzania to attend a court session for Tundu Lissu. Other regional activists who arrived over the weekend were reportedly detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport and deported soon after.
On Tuesday, Mwangi’s wife visited the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi, but officials claimed they had no information about his whereabouts.
“I last spoke to Boniface on Monday. The Tanzanian authorities say they deported him, but there’s no proof. Where is Bonnie?” she asked. “Give us back Boniface, wounded or dead. It has been very agonising for my family.”
Amnesty International claimed both Mwangi and Atuhaire were held incommunicado by military officers.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, during a televised address on Monday, warned that foreign activists would not be allowed to interfere in the country’s affairs.
“We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” said President Suluhu. “Our security and defence organs must not allow ill-mannered individuals from other countries to cross the line here.”
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