The Government of Tanzania has distanced itself from a campaign by the governor of the largest city in the East African country against homosexuals. The plans of the governor of Dar es Salaam, Paul Makonda, do not stand for the policy of the government, said Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga last night.
Makonda had made a list of 200 allegedly homosexual people based on anonymous evidence. Should their homosexuality be proved, they would be charged, the governor
said last week. The procedure had been heavily criticized internationally.
Homosexuality is banned in Tanzania – as in many African countries. If convicted, up to 30 years imprisonment are imminent, but there is rarely a prosecution.
