Dodoma: THE United States has expressed concern over political violence in Tanzania, and called on authorities to bring perpetrators to book.
The statement follows last week’s kidnapping and murder of opposition leader, Daniel John by suspected ruling party supporter’s.
John, the leader of the Chadema opposition party, was found beaten to death, with machete wounds to the head.
John was responsible for the Chadema party in the Hananasif district of the economic capital Dar es Salaam, where a heated local election campaign is under way.
“We send our deepest condolences to their family and friends. The rise in politically-related confrontations and violence is concerning, and we call on all parties to safeguard the peace and security of the democratic process, the country, and the Tanzanian people,’’ the US Embassy said.
“We also join Tanzanians in calling for a transparent investigation to hold all perpetrators of violence accountable in accordance with Tanzanian law.”
In September 2017, senior opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu was shot several times at his home in the capital Dodoma.
Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli has been increasingly criticised over his authoritarian leadership style, with a clampdown on the opposition, journalists and artists.
