Joseph Isangura
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has issued a pointed warning to foreign activists attempting to involve themselves in the country’s internal affairs, declaring that Tanzania will not allow outsiders to disrupt its peace.
Speaking during the launch of the 2024 edition of Tanzania’s Foreign Policy at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, President Samia expressed concern over what she described as a new trend of interference.
“We are beginning to see activists—who have already been restricted in their own countries—trying to come here and create chaos. Tanzania is still one of the most peaceful countries, and we won’t allow foreign troublemakers to ruin that,” she said firmly.
Her remarks follow claims that prominent Kenyan politician and activist Martha Karua, along with former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, was denied entry into Tanzania over the weekend. Reports suggest they were stopped at Julius Nyerere International Airport as they arrived to attend the ongoing trial of Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu.
Lissu, a vocal critic of the current administration and former presidential candidate, is facing treason-related charges stemming from his continued calls for political reforms. His case has attracted both local and international scrutiny, especially in the lead-up to the country’s 2025 general elections.
Also Read; China Cautions UK Over New US Trade Deal
The president’s strong stance reflects growing tensions around the role of foreign actors in Tanzania’s political space. While human rights groups have raised concerns about political freedoms and the treatment of opposition leaders, the government maintains that it is acting within the law to protect national interests.
President Samia also reiterated Tanzania’s respect for global diplomatic norms, particularly the principles enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, but made it clear that the same respect must be reciprocated.
“We respect others’ sovereignty and expect the same. If someone has been silenced in their own country, that doesn’t give them a passport to destabilize ours,” she emphasized.
Tanzania’s updated foreign policy reflects a vision of proactive diplomacy while safeguarding the country’s independence from undue external influence. With elections approaching, the stakes are high—and the government appears intent on guarding its domestic affairs from international pressure.
