Activist Boniface Mwangi Claims Life in Danger After Armed Confrontation in Tanzania

Activist Boniface Mwangi has claimed that his life is in danger after armed men confronted him at a hotel in Tanzania, demanding he come out without identification. This incident follows the arrest and deportation of Martha Karua and other Kenyan activists in Tanzania. The situation has raised alarms among political leaders about the erosion of democratic rights in the region, while Tanzanian authorities have yet to comment on the event.

Boniface Mwangi, a well-known activist, has raised alarms about his safety following a disturbing confrontation with armed men at a hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mwangi described the situation via a post on X around 1 AM on Monday, claiming that individuals dressed in civilian attire demanded he exit his hotel room without providing any identification. The unsettling incident followed the recent arrest and deportation of Martha Karua, another prominent figure from Kenya, just hours earlier.

In his post, Mwangi described the armed men outside his room at the Serena Hotel, insisting they were police officers despite their refusal to show any form of identification. “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,” he asserted, clearly shaken by the encounter. He communicated that he would not open the door, fearing for his safety.

A video shared by Mwangi further illustrated his refusal to comply. The men outside sought to persuade him to come to the reception area, with one stating, “Shuka hapa uone tunakuita reception, kila mtu anaona, camera zinaona.” However, the activist remained cautious, questioning his safety in that setting, prompting the men to assure him that he would be “more than safe.”

Despite their attempts to ease his concerns, Mwangi held firmly to his conviction and demanded that one man, claiming to be Mr. Robinson and affiliated with the hotel, slide identification under the door, which he did not produce. The situation escalated as the men insisted that Mwangi was worsening matters, but he remained defiant, challenging them to force their way in. Eventually, the men retreated.

Mwangi expressed his profound fear, stating, “I’m scared for my life because there are a lot of abductions in this country and people are jailed for opposing President Suluhu’s dictatorship.” An hour later, he provided an update, noting that the armed men had vacated his immediate area and moved towards the hotel lobby. He indicated that he would remain at the hotel until his legal representatives arrived.

The timing of this incident is particularly significant, following the deportation of Martha Karua and other activists, which many believe signals a crackdown on dissenting voices in Tanzania. Karua reported that she and her colleagues were detained upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport before being returned to Kenya.

In addition to the deportations, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and various rights activists faced similar restrictions, prompting concerns among Kenyan political figures. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka suggested that these events could indicate a worrying trend of diminishing democratic rights within the East African Community.

Tanzanian officials have yet to respond to Mwangi’s disturbing encounter at the hotel, leaving observers anxious regarding the future of political freedoms in the region. At this juncture, the wider implications of Mwangi’s experience, along with those of others facing similar threats, remain a critical issue for human rights advocates and analysts alike.

In summary, Boniface Mwangi has put forth serious concerns about his safety after armed men confronted him at a hotel in Tanzania. With the recent deportation of prominent activists like Martha Karua amplifying fears of governmental suppression, Mwangi’s plight draws attention not only to his personal situation but to broader issues of political freedom in the region. The silence from Tanzanian authorities adds to the uncertainty surrounding these events. Activists and political leaders continue to call for accountability in light of these concerning developments.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke