The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tanzania) has released a statement in reaction to the announcement by Governor Paul Makonda in regard to homosexuality.
This comes days after the Tanzanian governor, stated that there will be a surveillance squad dedicated to hunting down gay people. A move that would start off from identifying and arresting gay people from social media.
On a publication by the Swahili Times, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in Tanzania said that the campaign to curb homosexuality in Dar es Salaam, as explained by Paul Makonda, is only his opinion and not the government’s stand.
The Tanzanian government also added that they will continue to respect the constitution and human rights that they have signed and committed to.
According to Paul Makonda, the initiative was to begin in the course of this week.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Tanzania, where anti-gay rhetoric has been on the rise since President John Magufuli’s election in 2015.
As a result, many gay, lesbian and transgender people are forced to hide their sexuality for the fear of ridicule. Last year, the country’s deputy health minister defended a threat to publish a list of gay people.
Mr Makonda – a staunch ally of the president – said he expected international criticism for the move, but added: “I prefer to anger those countries than to anger God.”
“Give me their names,” Mr Makonda was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. “My ad hoc team will begin to get their hands on them next Monday.”
According to Mr Makonda, the 17-member team would comprise of state officials from the Tanzania Communications Authority, the police and media practitioners.
The government has however distanced itself from Makonda’s statement saying that they will honor and respect the human rights ass indicated in the constitution.
Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje imesema, kampeni ya kukabiliana na vitendo vya ushoga katika Jiji la Dar es Salaam iliyotangazwa na RC Paul Makonda, ni mawazo yake na sio msimamo wa Serikali. Serikali imesema, itaendelea kuheshimu mikataba ya haki za binadamu ambayo imesaini na kuridhia. pic.twitter.com/kYgwHQoJMf
— Swahili Times (@swahilitimes) November 4, 2018
#NipasheTaarifaMpya Kwa Umma Kutoka Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki inapenda kufafanua kwamba Kampeni iliyoanzishwa na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam Paul Makonda ya kukabiliana na ushoga ni mawazo yake binafsi na si msimamo wa Serikali. pic.twitter.com/7ubspbjJoQ
— Nipashe Tanzania (@Nipashetz) November 4, 2018