US Sanctions Tanzanian Police Official Faustine Jackson Mafwele Over Activist Torture Claims

The US State Department has designated Faustine Jackson Mafwele, Tanzania's senior assistant commissioner of police, based on "credible information that he was involved in gross violations of human rights". This action bars Mafwele from entering the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that members of the Tanzanian Police Force (TPF) had "detained, tortured, and sexually assaulted" activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire. Mwangi claims he was stripped, beaten, and sexually assaulted during his detention, while Atuhaire reported being raped. Tanzanian police previously dismissed these accounts as "opinions" and "hearsay".

This marks the first time a senior Tanzanian government official under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration has faced foreign sanctions. The US has previously accused Tanzania of repressing religious freedom, free speech, and failing to prevent election-related violence.

Human rights organisations have cited these incidents as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures and free expression in Tanzania. A recent commission of inquiry reported 518 deaths, including 197 by gunfire, during protests following last October's disputed general election, which saw President Samia declared the winner with 98% of the vote. Opposition groups, excluded from the process, described the election as a "mockery" of democracy.