Families in Tanzania are calling for answers and financial support after a wave of arrests that followed the country's recent elections. The BBC has heard directly from those affected, who say they are still waiting for accountability and relief as their loved ones remain caught up in what critics describe as a politically motivated crackdown.
Amnesty International has accused Tanzanian authorities of weaponising counterterrorism laws to silence dissent in the post-election period. According to Amnesty, the crackdown is ongoing, raising alarm among human rights observers who say the laws are being applied far beyond their intended scope.
The families speaking out want two things above all: to know what happened to their relatives, and to receive financial help to cope with the fallout. For many, the legal process has been slow and opaque, leaving them in a painful holding pattern with few resources and even fewer answers.
Tanzania's use of counterterrorism legislation in this context is drawing increasing scrutiny from the international community. Whether that pressure will translate into any real relief for the families waiting at home remains the question.
Originally published by BBC Africa.