The Quonquerer
JF-Expert Member
- May 14, 2009
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By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, 4th August 2010 @ 12:00,
THE government has trashed claims that Tanzania is an unsafe place to visit and has rubbished allegations that the country's security is at stake due to ‘terrorist threats and high degree of crimes' as alleged by a foreign Embassy based in Kenya.
The Australian Embassy in Nairobi has issued a cautionary note to its citizens travelling and/or living in the country on the current state of security and the general national security ahead of the General Elections scheduled for October, 31, this year.
A statement posted on the country's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website warns that Tanzania is ‘unsafe' to stay in due to terrorist attack threats in both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar and that the country has high rate of crime.
The Minister for Home Affairs was not immediately available for comment on the website. But the Deputy Minister, Ambassador Sued Kagasheki, said the information aimed to tarnish the image of the country.
"We are not happy with such allegations and although we can't take full control of what is being posted on websites, we cannot as well take such allegations lightly. The information is quite unfair," he said.
The Australian Embassy website posted the first cautionary note in March, this year and has been reissuing it as a reminder under what it referred to as ‘the summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (election-related unrest).'
"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, because of the threat of terrorist attack and high levels of serious crime," reads part of the warning note.
The note further cautions that in planning their activities, Australians must consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets which include commercial and public areas known to be frequently visited by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, airports, marketplaces, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.
It directs that extra care should be taken as incidents of civil unrest have been reported with preparations underway for the presidential and Parliamentary elections in October 2010.
"Political tensions may increase in the run up to and during elections. You should avoid all public rallies and protests as they may turn violent."
Minister Kagasheki said the Ministry would ensure security of every citizen and foreigners would be taken care of as it has been the case in previous elections. He said it was unfortunate the website's caution did not reflect the real situation in the country.
The deputy minister said Tanzania has been praised for maintenance of peace to both indigenous and foreigners, adding that the caution was intended to sabotage the political and social stability of the country.
On the general security, the statement alleges that crime, including robbery and petty theft accompanied by violence or threats of violence is common in Tanzania, especially on public transport, in national parks and on beaches.
It alleges further that crime levels in the Business City of Dar es Salaam and "armed banditry at coastal resorts on mainland Tanzania and on Zanzibar and Pemba Islands are on increase". The statement also cautions on carjacking that ‘occurs throughout the country' and that driving at night over long distances should be avoided.
Travellers have also been targeted by thieves in isolated areas. Some criminals use fake police identification cards to request money for alleged offence. The Website also cautions on ‘incidents of armed banditry in national parks in Tanzania, including around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park.
'You should take care of your personal security when visiting game parks and reserves.'
Minister Kagasheki said a special government statement will be issued upon seeing the alleged caution on the website but stressed that the country's security is stable and the government was on the maximum alert.
THE government has trashed claims that Tanzania is an unsafe place to visit and has rubbished allegations that the country's security is at stake due to ‘terrorist threats and high degree of crimes' as alleged by a foreign Embassy based in Kenya.
The Australian Embassy in Nairobi has issued a cautionary note to its citizens travelling and/or living in the country on the current state of security and the general national security ahead of the General Elections scheduled for October, 31, this year.
A statement posted on the country's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website warns that Tanzania is ‘unsafe' to stay in due to terrorist attack threats in both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar and that the country has high rate of crime.
The Minister for Home Affairs was not immediately available for comment on the website. But the Deputy Minister, Ambassador Sued Kagasheki, said the information aimed to tarnish the image of the country.
"We are not happy with such allegations and although we can't take full control of what is being posted on websites, we cannot as well take such allegations lightly. The information is quite unfair," he said.
The Australian Embassy website posted the first cautionary note in March, this year and has been reissuing it as a reminder under what it referred to as ‘the summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (election-related unrest).'
"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, because of the threat of terrorist attack and high levels of serious crime," reads part of the warning note.
The note further cautions that in planning their activities, Australians must consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets which include commercial and public areas known to be frequently visited by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, airports, marketplaces, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.
It directs that extra care should be taken as incidents of civil unrest have been reported with preparations underway for the presidential and Parliamentary elections in October 2010.
"Political tensions may increase in the run up to and during elections. You should avoid all public rallies and protests as they may turn violent."
Minister Kagasheki said the Ministry would ensure security of every citizen and foreigners would be taken care of as it has been the case in previous elections. He said it was unfortunate the website's caution did not reflect the real situation in the country.
The deputy minister said Tanzania has been praised for maintenance of peace to both indigenous and foreigners, adding that the caution was intended to sabotage the political and social stability of the country.
On the general security, the statement alleges that crime, including robbery and petty theft accompanied by violence or threats of violence is common in Tanzania, especially on public transport, in national parks and on beaches.
It alleges further that crime levels in the Business City of Dar es Salaam and "armed banditry at coastal resorts on mainland Tanzania and on Zanzibar and Pemba Islands are on increase". The statement also cautions on carjacking that ‘occurs throughout the country' and that driving at night over long distances should be avoided.
Travellers have also been targeted by thieves in isolated areas. Some criminals use fake police identification cards to request money for alleged offence. The Website also cautions on ‘incidents of armed banditry in national parks in Tanzania, including around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park.
'You should take care of your personal security when visiting game parks and reserves.'
Minister Kagasheki said a special government statement will be issued upon seeing the alleged caution on the website but stressed that the country's security is stable and the government was on the maximum alert.
