The embassies of the European Union and the United States condemned an attack on Tanzania’s leading cleric, Charles Kitima, who has been an outspoken advocate for electoral reform.
Kitima, the secretary general of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), was hospitalised after being assaulted by unknown assailants on Wednesday night.
The attack comes as Tanzania approaches its presidential and parliamentary elections in October, amid rising opposition calls for electoral reform.
The opposition has voiced concerns over growing repression, accusing the government of silencing dissent.
The TEC has been a vocal critic of the government, recently calling for reforms and denouncing the arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Lissu, head of the Chadema party, was imprisoned last month on treason charges, a crime punishable by death.
His party also faces disqualification from the elections after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct, citing concerns over the fairness of the process.
In response to the attack, the US Embassy expressed support for Kitima’s recovery and condemned all acts of violence targeting human rights advocacy.
Meanwhile, the EU embassy in Tanzania called for a thorough investigation into the assault.
Rights groups and Western governments have expressed growing alarm over the crackdown on opposition figures, including the abduction and murder of key political activists.
Critics argue that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is continuing the repressive tactics of her predecessor, John Magufuli.