Donald Trump’s US government, through the Department of State’s Bureau of Africa Affairs, has spoken out on the torture of Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and her Kenyan colleague Boniface Mwangi. The US had demanded that Samia Suluhu’s government probes the claims of torture against the activists.
Agather Atuhaire was dumped by Tanzanian authorities at the Mutukula border point at about 2am on Thursday.
She had visible torture marks and Mwangi has spoken of torture in detention for the days he and Atuhaire were held by Tanzanian authorities.
Both back home, their stories are a tale of a region whose leaders seem to have decided that highhandedness and torture are the best way to maintain stability within their countries.
Mwangi and Atuhaire had travelled to Tanzania to stand in solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges as he insists there shouldn’t be elections in the country in October if there are no reforms.
The two youthful activists were detained and have complained of shocking acts of torture at the hands of Tanzanian authorities.
Now, the US has raised concerns on the mistreatment of Mwangi and Atuhaire, the 2024 recipient of the Department of State International Women of Courage Award.
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Africa Affairs has demanded an “immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses” by Tanzanian authorities.
The bureau also called on all East African leaders to ensure that those torturing activists and other citizens are brought to book.
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists – Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. Atuhaire was recognized by the Department of State in 2024 as an International Women of Courage Awardee,” said the US Department of State’s Bureau of Africa Affairs in a statement.
“We call for an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses.
We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture.”
You can read on the shocking acts inside the Tanzania torture chamber where a police officer threatened to force himself on Agather Atuhaire, vowing to impregnate her, according to Boniface Mwangi, HERE.
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