Kenyan Activist Alleges Sexual Torture in Tanzania, Calls for Accountability

Activist Boniface Mwangi has bravely recounted a disturbing account of alleged sexual torture he endured while detained in Tanzania. His allegations have sparked calls for accountability as Tanzanian authorities face scrutiny over their treatment of dissenters ahead of upcoming elections.

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has shared a deeply troubling account of his recent detention in Tanzania, where he claims to have suffered severe abuse, including sexual torture. Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Mwangi described being stripped of his clothes, beaten, and sexually assaulted during his imprisonment. He stated that he felt compelled to speak out in light of his traumatic experiences, despite the shame he feels due to the nature of the attacks.

Mwangi had traveled to Tanzania to support opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who has faced legal challenges, including treason charges, in a climate of increasing repression ahead of the country’s elections. His visit, along with Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, was met with hostility, resulting in their detention for several days, during which Mwangi reported experiencing extreme psychological and physical distress.

The Tanzanian police have dismissed Mwangi's claims as mere "opinions" and "hearsay." Police chief Jumanne Muliro suggested that he should file a report if he wanted action taken, indicating a lack of seriousness toward the allegations of torture being raised. Meanwhile, rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for investigations into the incidents described by Mwangi and Atuhaire, highlighting the increasing dangers faced by activists speaking out in Tanzania.

Mwangi has also stated his desire for his medical records to be made public to prevent similar abuses from happening to others in the future. The emotional toll of his detention has left him struggling with severe nightmares and a pervasive sense of fear, both of which speak to the larger trend of crackdowns on dissent observed across East Africa.

Commentators have noted that the incident highlights the broader issues of human rights violations in Tanzania, particularly as President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government has been accused of intensifying its authoritarian grip ahead of the elections. The U.S. State Department has expressed deep concern over the treatment of the activists, while their treatment reflects a troubling trend towards violent repression of dissenters in the region.

Mwangi’s ordeal raises significant concerns about the climate of fear in the face of political activism in East Africa. As activists like Mwangi and Atuhaire call for justice, the international community continues to watch closely for any signs of accountability from the Tanzanian government, which has been under fire for its increasingly oppressive policies.