U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who announced the restrictions in a statement on Tuesday, Which read; ‘Today, the U.S. is announcing visa restrictions on Tanzanian officials responsible for or complicit in undermining Tanzania’s October 28, 2020, general elections.
‘The actions of these officials subverted the electoral process, continuing the downward trajectory of the country’s democracy.’
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Pompeo said opposition candidates were routinely disqualified, harassed, and arrested, and significant and widespread voting irregularities, internet disruptions, and violence by security forces made the election neither free nor fair.
‘Civil society leaders remain under threat in the post-election period, and opposition leaders have fled the country out of fear for their safety,‘ he added.
Pompeo continued to say that Washington is calling on the Tanzanian government to change course and hold responsible those responsible for the flawed election, violence, and intimidation.
Elections in mainland Tanzania took place on October 28, and in Zanzibar on October 27 and 28. On October 30, the National Electoral Commission announced that President John Magufuli of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party had won with 84 percent of the vote ahead of his closest challenger, Tundu Lissu of the opposition, Chadema party.
Human Rights Watch conducted phone interviews with 16 people between October 15 and November 9, including journalists, party officials, and family members of people allegedly killed by police.
Human Rights Watch documented the arrests of at least 18 opposition party officials, leaders, and supporters, including Lissu and another presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad of the ACT Wazalendo party, ahead of, and after the elections. The Chadema party reported that up to 300 of its members were arrested across the country during this period.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK