Introduction
On 29th March 2024, unknown gunmen attempted to assassinate Tanzanian politician Christopher Ole Sendeka, a Member of Parliament for Simanjiro, by shooting at his car. Investigations into the incident continue, but no suspects have yet been identified. This is the second assassination attempt on a politician in Tanzania. In 2017, Tundu Lissu, an opposition figure, was shot multiple times and seriously injured by unknown assailants in the capital city of Dodoma.
Hatimaye Mwanaharakati @DEUSDEDITHSOKA ameachiwa kwa dhamana kutoka Kituo cha Polisi cha Bandari alipokuwa ameshikiliwa kwa muda wote tangu alfajiri ya leo.
— Hilda Newton (@HildaNewton21) March 12, 2024
Mungu awabariki wote mliopaza sauti zenu , karibu uraiani kamanda Soka. pic.twitter.com/YsjOHlMqcz
Expression
On 3rd May 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Tanzania 97th in its annual World Press Freedom Index, a significant leap from 143rd in 2023. RSF highlighted that Tanzania now leads East Africa in press freedom.
On 12th March 2024, plainclothes officers at Bandarini police post arrested activist Deusdedith Soka, a member of the opposition CHADEMA party, accusing him of publishing 'false information' on X (formerly known as Twitter) and held him for several hours before releasing him on bail.
On 13th June 2024, police arrested journalist Dinna Maningo at her home in Tarime for publishing “confidential investigation reports”. They confiscated her equipment and pressured her to retract her statement. Maningo had reported sexual misconduct allegations against Regional Governor Dr. Yahya Nawanda. Following her arrest, authorities also detained journalists Samweli Mwanga and Constantine Mathias under unclear circumstances. On 20th June 2024, authorities released Dinna Maningo along with her colleagues Samweli Mwanga and Constantine Mathias.