Donation Amount. Min £2

Tanzanian authorities must immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of a former Tanzanian ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, who may have been forcibly disappeared. They must also ensure his safety and bring those responsible for his abduction and possible assault to justice through fair and transparent legal processes, Amnesty International said today.

Amnesty International is deeply alarmed that Humphrey Polepole might have been forcibly disappeared and possibly assaulted. The Tanzanian government must put every effort into locating him and bringing him back to safety. They must hold his abductors accountable.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

Humphrey Polepole’s family said they were alerted about a break-in on the morning of 6 October 2025 at the Dar es Salaam residence of the former diplomat and outspoken government critic. Upon arrival, they found the door broken, electrical wires cut, and a significant amount of blood at the scene. Videos and images shared by the family appear to corroborate these claims, showing clear signs of a violent struggle.

“Amnesty International is deeply alarmed that Humphrey Polepole might have been forcibly disappeared and possibly assaulted. The Tanzanian government must put every effort into locating him and bringing him back to safety. They must hold his abductors accountable,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa.

The incident comes less than three months after Polepole reported that his sister had been abducted from her home in Bahari Beach, Dar es Salaam, on 17 July 2025. She was beaten and later dumped back at her home the next day, in the night.

This case adds to a growing list of enforced disappearances and attacks on government critics in Tanzania, raising serious concerns about authoritarian practices in the country and increasing political repression ahead of Tanzania’s general elections, scheduled for 29 October 2025.

Far too many people have disappeared in Tanzania, over the recent years without any accountability. Authorities must bring this impunity to an end.

Tigere Chagutah

Polepole, once a senior figure in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, resigned from his diplomatic post earlier in 2025 after publicly criticizing the government for its disregard of justice, the rule of law, and constitutional principles.

“Far too many people have disappeared in Tanzania, over the recent years without any accountability. Authorities must bring this impunity to an end,” Tigere Chagutah said.

Polepole’s family reported the incident to Mbezi Police Station on 6 October, and his lawyer filed a habeas corpus application in court on 7 October 2025. Family members told Amnesty International that during a police investigation into Polepole’s case, officers took several items from his home, including his printer and safe.

Police spokesperson David Misime said Polepole had been summoned to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations made on social media but had failed to comply. Authorities say they are working to verify the authenticity of the abduction claims.

Background

Tanzanian security forces have been repeatedly implicated in a pattern of enforced disappearances in the country. In June 2025, UN human rights experts called on the Tanzanian government to “immediately stop the enforced disappearance of political opponents, human rights defenders and journalists, as a tool of repression in the electoral context.” Victims are often taken by unidentified individuals with the support or acquiescence of state officials, with authorities subsequently refusing to acknowledge their detention or disclose their fate or whereabouts—hallmarks of enforced disappearance under international law.

Among those still missing are Anthony Gabriel, Daniel Chonchorio, Deusdedith Soka, Dioniz Kipanya, Fakih Ali Salim, Frank Mbise, Jacob Mlay, Mdude Nyagali, Shadrack Chaula, Sinda Mseti, and Siza Mwita Keheta. Their continued disappearance underscores the urgent need for accountability and transparency from Tanzanian authorities. Amnesty International 

About IEA Media Ltd

Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.

To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854.
If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.

We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.

Get in touch

Our Offices

London, UK
+44 7886 544135
editor (@) informereastafrica.com
Slough, UK
+44 7957 636854
info (@) informereastafrica.com

Latest News

Tanzania: Fears mount over disappearance of government critic Humphery Pole Pol

Tanzania: Fears moun...

Tanzanian authorities must immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of a former Tanzanian ambas...

Uganda: New Bill to curb quack Human Resource (HR) officers

Uganda: New Bill to...

The Private Member’s Bill seeks to regulate the HR profession through strict registration, licensin...

SPLA-IO blasts Justice Minister Akech over remarks on Machar’s trial

SPLA-IO blasts Justi...

Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO Spokesperson. [Photo: Courtesy] JUBA – The Sudan People’s Liberation...

Baba is Okay: Raila Odinga's Wife Ida Odinga Assures Kenyans, Reveals Why He Travelled Abroad

Baba is Okay: Raila...

Ida Odinga feeding former Prime Minister Raila Odinga a cake during the latter's birthday in 2024....

For Advertisement

Big Reach

Informer East Africa is one platform for all people. It is a platform where you find so many professionals under one umbrella serving the African communities together.

Very Flexible

We exist to inform you, hear from you and connect you with what is happening around you. We do this professionally and timely as we endeavour to capture all that you should never miss. Informer East Africa is simply news for right now and the future.

Quality News

We only bring to you news that is verified, checked and follows strict journalistic guidelines and standards. We believe in 1. Objective coverage, 2. Impartiality and 3. Fair play.

Banner & Video Ads

A banner & video advertisement from our sponsors will show up every once in a while. It keeps us and our writers coffee replenished.