This archive report was first published on 29 November 2019.
On November 27, 2019, Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister Palamagamba Kabudi sparked controversy during the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the Bomas of Kenya. In his statement, he claimed that Tanzania is a nation of one tribe, despite having many sub-tribes.
Former Mandera Member of Parliament Abdikadir Mohammed strongly disagreed with the Minister's statement, pointing out that Tanzania has pressing issues that need to be addressed, including press freedom.
“The TZ Foreign Affairs Minister had some wise words for Kenyans yesterday at Bomas…pity he doesn’t dish out the same back home where they shoot up Opposition MPs and lock up Journalists,” tweeted Mr Mohammed on November 28, 2019.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga also expressed his sentiments, tweeting, “He also did not admit that ethnicization of politics is in full gear in TZ!”