LARRY MADOWO CITES GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS, SAFETY FEARS FOR SKIPPING TANZANIA ELECTION 

International journalist Larry Madowo has explained his decision not to cover the Tanzanian general elections, citing personal safety risks for reporters.

Madowo, who is currently in Las Vegas, clarified that his absence from Tanzania was a direct result of the government’s restrictive policies toward independent journalism. “The simple reason is that Tanzania does not like independent critical reporting to operate in the country,” Madowo stated. “As a foreigner, I need media accreditation, so essentially, permission from the government, and historically, Tanzania does not issue these permits.”

He said that issue that has persisted across administrations. “It used to be a problem, even under President Magufuli. It has not gotten better under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.” While Madowo acknowledged he could enter Tanzania as a tourist without a visa, he disclosed that reporting under that status is illegal. “I would be in violation of the law. I could be arrested, deported, or worse. And we know what Tanzania does to people they don’t like.”

The added that the threat is not exclusive to foreign correspondents but is felt by local media. “Even Tanzanian journalists find it hard to operate. They are harassed, they’re intimidated, they’re beaten up, they’re arrested, and sometimes they’re disappeared. I know many foreign reporters who applied for accreditation and they were rejected, or they just did not hear back.”