A group of activists, led by Martha Karua, has sent a compelling letter to the African Union (AU), urging immediate action against Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Dated May 22, 2025, the letter highlights serious concerns about the safety of two prominent activists—Agathar Atuhaire from Uganda and Boniface Mwangi from Kenya—who were allegedly detained and mistreated in Tanzania.
Key Allegations and Requests:
1. Illegal Detention and Abuse: The activists allege that Atuhaire and Mwangi were forcibly arrested and possibly subjected to torture. They are calling on the AU, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene.
2. Transparency: The letter demands clarity from the Tanzanian government regarding the activists’ whereabouts and the reasons for their arrests.
3. Human Rights Monitoring: The group urges African organizations to deploy teams to investigate potential violations of human rights in Tanzania.
4. Support for Opposition: Concerns are raised for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, with calls for international monitoring of his legal battles and assistance for local rights defenders.
5. Regional Justice Crisis: The activists describe the situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and a threat to justice and fundamental freedoms across the region.
Though Mwangi has since been found alive after being missing for three days, signs of torture on his body underscore the urgency of these calls for action. The response from the AU and other regional bodies is now awaited to address these alarming developments.
By Kenyans