U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch has strongly condemned a recent surge in abductions and torture across East African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. He warned that these alarming trends reflect widespread impunity and a significant decay in governance within the region. Senator Risch emphasized that such acts undermine national stability and erode citizens' confidence in their governments' ability to ensure safety and security.

In a statement released on Thursday, May 29, and shared on social media platform X, Senator Risch stated, "Rising abductions and torture in East Africa signal more than abuse – they expose state decay and impunity. That’s a direct threat to regional stability, security, and U.S. interests." He highlighted that these incidents are not merely isolated abuses but symptomatic of broader systemic failures and a culture of impunity within the governments of these countries.

The Senator's remarks gained prominence amidst the controversial detention, alleged torture, and subsequent deportation of Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and her Kenyan counterpart, Boniface Mwangi, by Tanzanian authorities. The activists had reportedly travelled to Tanzania to observe the treason hearing of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Mwangi was detained shortly after arriving in Tanzania on Monday, May 19, and was held in solitary confinement, denied access to legal representation, court hearings, or consular support.

Following her release, Agather Atuhaire provided a harrowing account of her ordeal. "When I get there, the first order is to take off my clothes. Before I did anything, there was someone who hit me on my back and another who violently took off my clothes. They threw me down and handcuffed me," Atuhaire stated. She further detailed severe abuse, saying, "They tried to put a sweater so the injuries on my hands would have been quite severe... There's one hitting under my feet so badly, the pain was too much and another shoving something in my ... so that is rape, by all standards."

Boniface Mwangi also described his experience as deeply traumatic. "I have gone through four very dark days, I have been tortured very badly, I can barely walk,” Mwangi stated shortly after he was found at the Kenya-Tanzania border in Horohoro. He described his time in detention as marked by severe mistreatment.

These incidents involving Atuhaire and Mwangi sparked widespread criticism from human rights bodies and the international community, who called for speedy and thorough investigations to uncover the truth. The United States government, through its Bureau of African Affairs, formally called for a probe into the allegations of mistreatment and human rights violations, emphasizing that those responsible should be held accountable.

In contrast to the international calls for accountability, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu adopted a defiant stance. She urged government officials to protect the country "at all costs" from "outsiders" seeking to interfere in Tanzania's internal affairs. "Kwa sababu ya uzuri na mathubutu ya taifa letu, mnaona yanayo tokea leo ya kwamba watu kutoka kwingine wanataka kuja kuvuruga huku ndani na kazi ya kulinda sio langu peke yangu, wala sio vyomba vya ulinzi na usalama peke yao ni sote, kwa sababu wakikosa huku watapita mawizara, mashirika letu, watataka kuingia kuvurugu. Naomba mkalinde taifa lenu," President Suluhu was quoted as saying.

The concerns about abductions and torture are not limited to Tanzania. Kenya has also witnessed a surge in such allegations, particularly during the anti-government protests in 2024. Prominent activist Bob Njagi alleged he was abducted by state security forces and endured torture during a 32-day disappearance. Other Kenyans, including Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti, Kibet Bull, and Billy Mwangi, were also reportedly abducted but were later found and reunited with their families. Furthermore, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was forcibly taken into custody while in Nairobi in November 2024, transported back to Uganda, arrested, and now faces treason charges. These cases highlight a disturbing pattern of political repression and human rights abuses across East Africa.

In an effort to address the diplomatic tensions arising from such incidents, Kenyan President William Ruto issued an apology for any wrongdoing to neighboring countries. This gesture was reportedly accepted by the Tanzanian Parliament. However, the overarching pattern of abductions and torture continues to cast a dark shadow over the region, signaling a critical need for upholding human rights and the rule of law.