Tanzania is safe, minister assures ambassadors

Dar es Salaam. The government yesterday urged the diplomatic community to consult and engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of East African Cooperation whenever they feel unsafe or have any security intelligence they consider valuable and worth sharing.

The call was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr. Stergomena Takse, following security warnings and tensions arising from reports of civil unrest in Tanzania, claims which the government dismissed as false.

On January 25, 2022, the US Embassy in Tanzania issued a security warning of a possible attack in Dar es Salaam and elsewhere frequented by US citizens and other Westerners.

The security alert was followed by an announcement by Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) of its decision to reschedule its flights to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from 27 to 30 January due to so-called “civil unrest” in Tanzania .

“The government has elaborate systems for consultation, cooperation and information sharing on matters of mutual interest,” Dr Taks said at an emergency meeting with heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations held in Dodoma.

He added: “It is unfair and inconsistent for someone not to use established channels of communication and engagement.”

He said the government understands the responsibility of each embassy in taking care of its citizens, but it cannot guarantee any embassy anywhere in the world to do so at the cost of undermining the host country’s authority and stability.

Issuance of unilateral security alerts by embassies to the public, Dr Tax recorded his grave dismay, is not in line with the guiding tool, the Vienna Convention, nor with established customs and practice governing relations between states.

“We take this opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of you and your citizens in Tanzania,” Dr Taks said.

“Equally, our readiness to cooperate, work and share intelligence can help us make your stay in Tanzania safe and secure.

“Our collective security depends on all of us working together, rather than acting unilaterally.”

He explained that Tanzania is and will remain a peaceful, secure and stable country, and pays due attention to security matters at the internal, regional and international levels.

As an active member of the United Nations, the African Union, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, Tanzania is bound by charters and treaties established to adhere to the principles of promoting and maintaining peace and security.