Activist Boniface Mwangi Claims Life in Danger After Confrontation in Tanzania
Boniface Mwangi claims his life is in danger after armed men confront him at a hotel in Tanzania, in a situation that escalates amid reports of similar deportations of Kenyan activists. The incident raises alarms about the safety of political dissidents in the region.
Activist Boniface Mwangi has raised serious concerns about his safety while in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This alarming situation unfolded at the Serena Hotel when armed men, who Mwangi suspects to be police officers, confronted him outside his hotel room demanding he come out without properly identifying themselves.
Mwangi took to social media around 1 am on May 19, stating he felt threatened. He declared, “My life is in danger. I’m at Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, and there are armed men in civilian clothes outside my room. They claim they are police officers, but they have refused to identify themselves. They will have to break the door to remove me here. I’m not going to open it.” His fear of potential abduction was palpable, and he refused to comply with their demands.
In a video he posted, Mwangi can be seen adamantly refusing to open the door while the men outside try to reason with him. One of his assailants urged him to come to the lobby, saying everyone could see what was happening. “So nitakuwa safe?” Mwangi asked, indicating his hesitance. The conversation escalated, with Mwangi challenging the armed men to break down the door if they wanted to take him.
He explained the dire context of his fears: “I’m scared of my life because there are a lot of abductions in this country, a lot of executions and people are in jail for opposing President Suluhu’s dictatorship.” An hour later, he updated the situation, revealing the armed men had moved to the hotel lobby but asserting he was ready to leave when his lawyers arrived.
This unsettling incident occurs just hours after the arrest and deportation of Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party, along with other Kenyan activists as they arrived in Tanzania. Karua reported they were detained shortly after landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport, leading to questions about security and freedom for political activists in Tanzania.
Reports surfaced that former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other prominent activists faced similar fates upon their arrival, leading many to speculate whether there’s a crackdown specifically targeting visiting Kenyan activists. Mwangi’s run-in with the armed men has garnered significant attention, especially as it remains unclear if he was part of Karua’s delegation.
As the news spreads, Kenyan political figures are voicing their concerns, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka hinting that such actions from Tanzanian authorities could point to a concerning trend of diminishing democratic freedoms in East Africa, a critical issue for the East African Community (EAC).
As of now, Tanzanian officials have not made any public statements regarding this incident involving Mwangi. With tensions high, the situation continues to evolve, and it emphasizes the precarious state for activists in the region.
In summary, Boniface Mwangi’s alarming encounter with unidentified armed men in Tanzania encapsulates larger issues regarding the safety of political activists in the region. Following a series of deportations of prominent Kenyan political figures, there’s a noticeable trend of intimidation against those opposing the Tanzanian government. The lack of official comments from Tanzanian authorities raises further concerns about human rights in the country, highlighting the necessity for vigilance and solidarity among activists.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
