Tanzanian authorities on Friday released on bail three people, including a former legislator, who were arrested after criticising a deal with an Emirati company to manage the country’s ports.
According to rights campaigners, Willibrod Slaa — a former parliamentarian and diplomat — and two activists were taken into custody at the weekend after speaking out publicly against the ports deal signed last October by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The agreement paves the way for DP World, a logistics company controlled by the emirate of Dubai in the UAE, to manage all the ports in Tanzania in consultation with the government. It was ratified by parliament in June.
Critics say the deal poses a threat to Tanzanian sovereignty and security, but the government has defended the accord, arguing that it will improve efficiency, cut costs and increase revenues.
A lawyer for the activists said they were released on Friday, while former ambassador Slaa told reporters he was “now back home on bail”.
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“Let me assure the public that arresting (me) cannot deter me from defending national resources including the ports,” Slaa said.
Defence lawyer Philip Mwakilima told journalists that the two activists “are now accused of incitement and are supposed to report to police on Monday.”
Slaa and his co-accused could face treason charges — a non-bailable offence that carries a death penalty — Amnesty International said this week, citing the trio’s defence lawyers.
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At least two dozen people have been arrested since June for opposing the deal, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said last week.
Tanzanian rights campaigners have also condemned the arrests and urged the authorities to release the detainees.
Hassan came to power in March 2021 after the sudden death of her autocratic predecessor John Magufuli.
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Although she has reversed some of Magufuli’s most controversial policies, critics labelled her a “dictator” after Freeman Mbowe, leader of the Chadema opposition party, was arrested on terrorism charges in July 2021 before being released.
Chadema is among those opposing the deal, which gives DP World exclusive rights for a period of 12 months to negotiate with the government on how best to manage the country’s 80 ports.
In June, Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa told parliament that the investment by DP World would improve the performance of Tanzanian ports, allowing more ships to dock there.
“The cost of transit cargo will also drop by almost half,” he said.
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