Tanzanians engage U.S Ambassador, Michael Battle on issues of abductions, killings and Peaceful Demos
From Our Correspondents
Tanzanians have been engaging the United States’ envoy in the country, Ambassador Michael Battle, using the ‘X’ platform, regarding the ongoing issues of arrests, abductions and killings in the country.
Posting on the envoy’s Twitter Page, a number of Tanzanians also talked about the planned peaceful demonstrations by opposition parties in Dar-es-salaam.
The people posting on the envoy’s pare have been requesting the U.S support to Tanzania in serious matters of democracy which they claim to be deteriorating.
Some called upon the U.S to halt funding projects to Tanzania but others were on the view that the country still needs support from partner states to push development initiatives, especially the ones benefiting local residents directly.
There was even a post which said; “Tanzania is bleeding and we want justice!”
As it happens, the angry Tanzanians were essentially responding to U.S Ambassador Michael Battle following the envoy’s recent post that he was pleased to join the Tanzania Center for Democracy’s stakeholder conference to discuss the development of democracy here in Tanzania.
“The U.S. has been Tanzania’s partner on this democratic journey for the last six decades. We will continue to partner with all Tanzanians interested in advancing democratic principles so that all voices are respected and heard,” wrote Ambassador Battle.
The envoy pointed out that this goes to the heart of the United States’ core values, and thus “… we are proud to stand up today and every day in support of this important work.”
Tonny Adamms, one of the responders was among the few people posting on the envoy page who talked about the event which Ambassador Battle attended telling the U.S official that; “I was personally pleased with your brief speech on that occasion!”
Most of the posts responding to Ambassador Battle however were all shouting against incidents of abductions, killings and arrests taking place in Tanzania, calling upon development partners and international communities to intervene.
In another development, Tundu Lissu the Deputy Chairperson of the opposition party, CHADEMA wrote on ‘X’ that he was anticipating arrest anytime in the course of this week.
The party is organizing a public demonstration in protest against cases of abductions, arrests and killings that have been occurring in Tanzania for the last five months or so. Including the recent episode in which one of their party officials was pulled out of a moving bus and taken away to be killed.
“I’m told they’re coming for me any time now. If, and when, they do, I’ll be ready. It’ll be the second time I’ve been arrested in about two months. It’ll be the 10th time I’ve been held by the Tanzania police on false charges in eight years. I survived 16 bullets; I’ll survive the Dictatorship’s jails!” Lissu posted.