The United Bureau of African Affairs has condemned the detention of human rights activist Boniface Mwangi alongside Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania.
In a statement dated Saturday, May 24, the bureau, which is under the US State Department, expressed concern over reports that indicated that the duo had been tortured while in the custody of the Tanzanian authorities.
Consequently, the US called for investigations and accountability for those responsible.
"The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists – Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. Atuhaire was recognized by the State Department in 2024 as an International Women of Courage Awardee.
"We call for an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses. We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture," read the statement in part.
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Mwangi and Agather were arrested by Tanzania authorities and held in an unknown location for days, even as their lawyers tried to access them.
According to Mwangi, they were treated inhumanely and were tortured during their detention.
“I have gone through four very dark days, I have been tortured very badly, I can barely walk,” Mwangi revealed.
“We had been tortured, and we were told to strip naked and to go bathe. We couldn't walk and were told to crawl and go wash off the blood."
Tanzania is yet to respond to the claims. However, President Samia Suluhu had lamented that foreign activists were keen on interfering with internal matters of Tanzania to cause instability.
This followed the influx of lawyers and activists who travelled to Tanzania to support Tundu Lissu, a Tanzanian opposition leader who is facing treason charges.
"We should not allow them; they have already destabilized their country. The only country that has not been destabilized, where people are peaceful, is here (Tanzania)," she stated.
"There have been several attempts, but I want to urge the authorities not to allow people from other countries to come and destabilize this country."
