This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the world, with over 7 million confirmed cases and over 300,000 deaths, according to John Hopkins University. In East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania were among the hardest hit, with Tanzania's President Magufuli claiming the country had won against the virus in June 2020.
However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. According to Sky News, Tanzania's media is restricted from reporting on COVID-19, with journalists arrested for speaking out against the government. The health facilities are full to capacity with coronavirus patients, and health officials have been threatened into silence.
President Magufuli's response to the pandemic has been widely criticized, with some of his actions putting the lives of thousands of Tanzanians at risk. The government's approach to fighting the pandemic has been described as opaque, secretive, and incompetent, with a reliance on ancient superstitions and prejudices.
The Tanzanian government has not released any data on COVID-19 since April 29, 2020, leaving the public in the dark about the true extent of the pandemic. The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19, but the Tanzanian government seems to be ignoring the warning signs.
