Tanzania government disavows Monday’s anti-gay roundup

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

The Tanzanian government distanced itself today from Dar es Salaam governor Paul Makonda and his plans for an anti-gay roundup starting tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 5).

Paul Makonda (Photo courtesy of HIVisasa.co.tz) — The anti-gay governor of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Paul Makonda, (Photo courtesy of HIVisasa.co.tz)

In a public statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the anti-gay proclamations by Makonda, the government’s regional director in Dar es Salaam, are his personal opinion.

The ministry said its statement was made “on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.”

It said Tanzania will continue to abide by the Tanzanian constitution and to respect human rights treaties that it has signed.

Makonda on Oct. 29 urged citizens to report the names of homosexuals living in Dar es Salaam. He said that his anti-gay “ad hoc team” would “get their hands on them next Monday [Nov. 5].”

Later last week, Makonda said he had received 5,763 messages from the public, who reported the names of more than 100 alleged gays.

He outlined plans for adopting a police-state technique — surveillance of personal communications — along with anal testing of suspects aimed at creating “a non-gay city.”

[Contrary to actual Tanzanian law, Makonda alleges that homosexuality (not just homosexual activity) is a crime. “In Dar es Salaam, homosexuality is not a human right; homosexuality is a criminal offence,” he said.]

It was clear in the foreign affairs ministry’s statement that Makonda’s hunt for homosexuals is not government-sanctioned, but it remains unclear what effect, if any, that statement will have on Makonda’s plans for a gay round-up on Monday.

The Tanzanian publication The Citizen published two versions of an article about the statement.

Tanzania Government now distances itself from Dar es Salaam Commissioner’s anti-gay rhetoric

and

Tanzania Government clarifies ‘gay crackdown’ report

The ministry’s statement is below (translated here from Swahili):

The East African Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, wishes to inform the people and the international community through local and international media on homosexual issues addressed by Hon. Dar es Salaam Regional Director recently.

At his meeting with the media, Hon. The Regional Director announced a campaign to deal with homosexual acts in the city of Dar es Salaam.

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania would like to clarify that, that is its opinion and not the position of the Government.

In addition, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania would like to use this opportunity to remind and insist that it will continue to respect all international agreements on human rights that have signed and ratified. The Union of Tanzania continues and will continue to respect and protect such rights as contained in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.

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