Media Wire Express Correspondent
Evidence presented at a London tribunal has implicated Millicom, the former parent company of telecom firm Tigo, in serious allegations concerning the attempted assassination of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Reports indicate that the tribunal has heard claims linking Millicom to the 2017 attack, suggesting that the company shared Lissu’s mobile phone data with the Tanzanian government.
According to a report from The Guardian, Michael Clifford, a former internal investigator at Millicom and a former officer with the Metropolitan Police, has raised alarming concerns about the company’s actions surrounding the attack. Clifford asserts that he was wrongfully dismissed for “whistleblowing” on the issue, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
As detailed by Clifford’s legal team, Millicom allegedly provided Tanzanian authorities with round-the-clock access to Lissu’s phone call and location data during the weeks leading up to the September 2017 incident. The accusations indicate that the tracking of Lissu’s two mobile phones began on August 22, 2017, and intensified just a week later, on August 29. It is alleged that the data was communicated to government officials via WhatsApp, highlighting a troubling intersection of technology and political repression.
Lissu was the target of an assassination attempt in Dodoma when gunmen fired multiple shots into his vehicle. The brutal attack left him severely injured, necessitating medical treatment in both Kenya and Europe before he was able to return to Tanzania years later. Despite the gravity of the situation, no one has yet been prosecuted for the attack, raising significant concerns about accountability and justice in Tanzania.
The case brings to light pressing issues surrounding corporate complicity in political violence and human rights violations. The allegations against Millicom could have far-reaching implications, not only for the company itself but also for the telecommunications industry and its role in supporting authoritarian regimes.
As the tribunal continues to investigate these serious claims, the public is left to ponder the extent of corporate responsibility in safeguarding the rights and safety of individuals in politically volatile regions. The ongoing developments will be closely watched by human rights advocates, legal experts, and the international community.
This situation underscores the need for greater scrutiny of telecommunications companies and their interactions with government authorities, particularly in nations where freedom of expression and political dissent are under threat.
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It raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of corporations in ensuring that their services are not exploited for purposes of surveillance and repression.
The implications for Tanzanian politics and civil society are significant, as the country continues to navigate the challenges of governance, human rights, and corporate accountability.
