The United States has sanctioned a senior Tanzanian police official accused of overseeing the torture and sexual assault of two prominent East African human rights activists during detention last year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced travel restrictions against Tanzanian police commander Faustine Jackson Mafwele, saying Washington received “credible information” linking him to serious human rights violations involving detained activists.

The sanctions prevent Mafwele from entering the United States and represent one of the strongest international actions yet against officials serving under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.

The case centres around Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan rights advocate Agather Atuhaire, who travelled to Tanzania in 2025 to monitor the trial of opposition figure Tundu Lissu before allegedly being arrested and abused in custody.

Mwangi accused security operatives of beating, humiliating, and sexually assaulting him during detention, while Atuhaire alleged she was raped by authorities.

Although Tanzanian police dismissed the accusations as unverified claims and hearsay, US officials said members of the Tanzanian Police Force were directly involved in the detention, torture, and sexual abuse of both activists.

American officials described the alleged abuse as a grave violation of human rights and said the sanctions were aimed at ensuring accountability for what they called a “heinous act.”

The development adds to growing international scrutiny over Tanzania’s human rights situation, especially following disputed elections and violent unrest that reportedly left hundreds dead during clashes between protesters and security forces.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly accused Tanzanian authorities of suppressing dissent, targeting activists, and failing to properly investigate allegations of abuse by security agencies.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s government says it has not yet received official communication regarding the US sanctions.