East African rights groups are angry about two activists stuck behind bars. Tanzania authorities are holding Ugandan reporter Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi without clear reasons. The government refuses to say where they are being kept or why. Human rights workers want both people freed right away. They plan to march outside Tanzania's office if nothing happens soon.
Both activists came to Tanzania to help opposition leader Tundu Lissu at his court hearing. Lissu faces charges for speaking against the government. Police arrested Atuhaire and Mwangi, claiming they broke immigration rules. Mwangi could spend three years behind bars for staying at his hotel wrong. Rights defenders say the real reason was political.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan refuses to back down from foreign pressure. She says other countries cannot tell Tanzania what to do. Many worry the country is moving away from democracy. Regional lawyers and reporters signed a letter demanding answers. Tanzania officials will not talk about the case.
Both activists came to Tanzania to help opposition leader Tundu Lissu at his court hearing. Lissu faces charges for speaking against the government. Police arrested Atuhaire and Mwangi, claiming they broke immigration rules. Mwangi could spend three years behind bars for staying at his hotel wrong. Rights defenders say the real reason was political.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan refuses to back down from foreign pressure. She says other countries cannot tell Tanzania what to do. Many worry the country is moving away from democracy. Regional lawyers and reporters signed a letter demanding answers. Tanzania officials will not talk about the case.
