Africa Watch
Western Powers Urge Tanzania to Release Bodies of Post-Election Victims as International Pressure Mounts
Western governments are intensifying calls on Tanzania to release the bodies of citizens killed during October’s post-election violence.
The move rapidly escalates diplomatic row that has placed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration under the sharpest global scrutiny of her tenure.
In a joint statement issued Friday, 17 Western embassies—including the UK, France, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and the EU delegation—condemned what they described as credible evidence of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and what they called the concealment of bodies following the disputed 29 October vote.
The bloc urged Tanzanian authorities to immediately release all bodies to families, free political detainees, and guarantee legal and medical access for those still in custody. The statement marked the strongest coordinated criticism yet from Tanzania’s Western partners.
A Vote That Triggered a Deadly Crackdown
President Samia was declared the winner of the election with nearly 98% of the vote, a figure the opposition dismissed as a “mockery of democracy.” Most major rivals had been barred from running, sparking widespread protests across the country.
Security forces responded with force. Human rights groups estimate hundreds were killed and over 2,000 arrested, though the government has not provided an official death toll. At least 240 people were later charged with treason.
Authorities also shut down the internet, threatened citizens sharing images of the protests, and deployed armed personnel—some reportedly unidentified—to arrest critics, including academics and civil society members.
The UN human rights office said Friday that Tanzania had “intensified a crackdown” since the vote.
Government Pushes Back, Sets Up Inquiry
Tanzania’s foreign ministry said it had taken note of international concerns but urged foreign governments to await the findings of a newly established commission of inquiry before drawing conclusions. The government insists the commission will “bring understanding” to the events.
President Samia has taken a combative stance, accusing Western countries of meddling in Tanzania’s internal affairs. In a fiery speech on Tuesday, she defended the heavy-handed response, claiming security forces acted against protesters attempting to “overthrow the government.”
She repeated allegations—without evidence—that foreign actors were working with opposition groups to effect “regime change.”
Mounting Diplomatic Costs
The United States signaled Thursday it is reconsidering its relations with Tanzania, warning it cannot overlook actions that endanger the safety of its citizens or regional stability.
For a leader once praised for opening political space after succeeding John Magufuli in 2021, Samia now faces criticism that the country is sliding back toward repression. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu, charged with treason in April, remains behind bars.
Western diplomats say the test for Tanzania now is whether its promised inquiry will be independent, transparent, and inclusive—engaging faith leaders, civil society, political groups, and victims’ families.
For grieving Tanzanian families, however, the priority is more immediate: the right to bury their dead—something they say the state has denied them for weeks.
Pope Leo XIV will depart on Monday, April 13, 2026, for a major 10-day apostolic journey to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
Vatican officials are describing the tour as a deliberate effort to shine a global spotlight on the continent.
The trip, spanning nearly 18,000 kilometers (11,185 miles) and including stops in 11 cities and towns, will be the longest and most ambitious overseas journey of the pontiff’s young papacy.
During the tour, running from April 13 to 23, the 70-year-old Pope is scheduled to deliver 25 speeches, hold meetings with political leaders, and engage extensively with local Catholic communities.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close adviser to Pope Leo, said the visit is intended “to help turn the world’s attention to Africa.”
He noted that by heading to the continent early in his pontificate, the first American Pope is sending a strong message that “Africa matters” and should not be overlooked amid other global concerns.
Africa is currently the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, with more than 20% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics now living on the continent. Equatorial Guinea, which has not hosted a papal visit since 1982, is over 70% Catholic, while significant Catholic populations exist in Cameroon and Angola. Algeria, by contrast, is overwhelmingly Muslim with a small Catholic community.
The tour comes as Pope Leo has taken an increasingly vocal stance against the ongoing war in Iran. Vatican officials say the African visit reflects both the Church’s pastoral priorities and its commitment to global solidarity with regions often marginalized in international discourse.
Washington, D.C. – The United States has issued a strong travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider all travel to Nigeria, citing persistent threats of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and armed attacks across large parts of the country.
In an update released last Wednesday, the US State Department placed several Nigerian states under its highest-level “Do Not Travel” warning due to the deteriorating security situation.
The advisory also authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency US embassy staff and their families from Abuja, describing the overall environment as increasingly challenging for American citizens and diplomats.
Despite deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja — including counter-terrorism support, intelligence sharing, maritime security, and military training with US-supplied aircraft and helicopters — the move underscores the gap between strategic partnership and the daily reality of insecurity faced by civilians and foreigners in many regions.
The advisory warns that violent attacks could occur with little or no warning in public places such as markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, and transportation hubs.
Nigerian authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the latest warning. In the past, officials have criticised such advisories for unfairly tarnishing the country’s image and potentially harming diaspora travel, international conferences, and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria is seeking economic recovery.
The development comes amid a fresh surge in deadly attacks in parts of the country, raising renewed concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency operations against groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as banditry and communal violence in other regions.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union and UNECA has officially launched “Ghana Month,” a major cultural and diplomatic initiative aimed at deepening ties between Ghana and Ethiopia while showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage across Africa.
The celebration, running throughout May 2026 at Kuriftu Village in partnership with Kuriftu Resorts, will feature cultural performances, creative exhibitions, music, fashion, culinary experiences, and entrepreneurial showcases. It is expected to attract diplomats, business leaders, tourists, and the Ethiopian public.
Counsellor Ms Grace Maakinyi Mbiba, in her opening remarks, described the initiative as “an opportunity to showcase the diversity of Ghana’s heritage and the dynamism of its creative and entrepreneurial sectors.”
Ambassador Dr Robert Afriyie commended Kuriftu Resorts for the collaboration, calling it a true embodiment of Pan-Africanism. He noted that the event aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of using tourism, culture, music, fashion, and history to promote continental unity and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador highlighted the growing bilateral relationship between Ghana and Ethiopia and positioned the month-long celebration as a practical platform to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism, trade, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
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