Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday issued a stern warning to foreign activists, particularly from neighbouring Kenya, stating that her country would not allow external forces to interfere in its internal affairs. Her remarks followed the deportation of several Kenyan rights activists who attempted to attend the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
Speaking during the launch of Tanzania’s new foreign policy in a televised address, Suluhu accused some regional activists of attempting to destabilise the nation.
“We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” said Suluhu. “If they have been controlled in their country, let them not come to disrupt us.”
She described Tanzania as the only remaining peaceful nation in the region and called on security and defence agencies to ensure that “ill-mannered individuals” do not cross the line into the country.
Her comments came just hours after prominent Kenyan figures, including former Justice Minister Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, were detained upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. The group had travelled to observe the trial of Lissu, a leading figure in Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema.
Lissu is accused of treason over a speech in which he allegedly urged citizens to rise against the government and disrupt the upcoming general elections scheduled for October. His party, Chadema, was recently disqualified from the elections after allegedly failing to sign a mandatory code of conduct set by the National Electoral Commission.
Chadema and other critics accuse Suluhu’s administration of sliding back into authoritarianism, reminiscent of previous regimes. They argue that the treason charges against Lissu are politically motivated and part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
The case was adjourned to June 2, as the prosecution cited the need for more time to complete investigations.
As tensions rise ahead of the October elections, Suluhu’s firm stance signals an increasingly assertive approach to regional political activism and domestic dissent.
