Tanzania expels UN rep after political meddling claims

By Peter Saramba Ongiri

MWANZA, Tanzania (AA) - Tanzania’s government gave the local United Nations Development Program representative 24 hours’ notice to leave the country after accusing her office of involvement in local politics, a government official said Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry Permanent Sectary Aziz Mlima confirmed to Anadolu Agency that Awa Dabo, a Gambian citizen, had been sent home.

“It’s true the UNDP resident representative was given a 24-hour ultimatum to leave the country after completing several international diplomatic processes,” said Mlima, but declined to give more details.

Since the October 2015 general election, the government has accused UNDP officials of siding with opposition claims that the results were rigged in favor of the ruling CCM party.

The decision follows the release of Amnesty International’s annual State of the World Human Rights report claiming violations of civil and political liberties in the East African country.

Among the infringements of civil and political liberties cited by the group were unfair elections, excessive use of force by the police, arrests of journalists and opposition politicians, and bans on political rallies.