Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan warned the militants in neighboring Kenya that she would not allow them to “intervent” and cause “confusion” in their own national affairs.
Her comments were posted after Kenya’s prominent lawyers and people from the rights movement were deported, preventing them from participating in an opposition leader’s case accused of treason.
“If they are included in their own country, let them not come here to intervene. Let us not give them a chance. They have caused chaos in their own country,” Samia said.
Human rights groups fear Tanzanian government is increasingly suppressing opposition ahead of October elections.
On Monday, main opposition leader Tundu Lissu appeared in court after being arrested last month.
He raised his fist with a rebellious gesture and told his supporters: “You will be fine. You shouldn't be afraid.”
The courts in Dar Es Salaam, the country's largest city, have deployed a large number of security officials.
This hasn't stopped Lissu's supporters, with hundreds of people gathering where the hearing took place.
The court had previously tried to actually conduct a lawsuit, but Lissu and his legal team opposed this with the need for transparency.
The Shadema Party leader was arrested on April 9 at a rally where there was “no reform, no election”.
He has since been charged with treason and posting false information online, allegedly inciting rebellion and accusing police of election misconduct.
He denied the charges. If convicted, he could face death penalty.
Lissu's team also expressed concerns about the presence of a large number of police officers around the court, and the judge acknowledged whether this was justified.
Lissu described it as a politically motivated case, bringing more attention to the country's democratic situation.
President Samia's administration has been accused by human rights activists of using heavy tactics to target opposition people into the polls.
But the government denied these claims, saying that peace in the country would not be compromised before the vote.
Former Kenya Attorney General Martha Karua said on Sunday that she was expelled from Tanzania along with two colleagues to prevent them from attending the trial.
The Tanzanian Human Rights Defenders League said the “arbitrary arrest” was shocked.
Hours later, former Kenya Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other prominent rights activists said they had been parked at the airport and were detained.
Speaking on Monday in Dar Es Salaam’s new foreign policy for Tanzania, Samia stressed that she would not tolerate external efforts to undermine peace and stability in her country.
“If there is a country with peace and security, then it's here…we won't give anyone to destroy us, whether it comes from within or without our borders,” she said.
She instructed Tanzanian authorities not to allow “those who undermine the country over Tanzania… spread their discipline here.
“I've seen several clips saying I'm biased, but what I'm doing is protecting my country, which is a critical mission I've obtained,” the president said.
Recent events in Tanzania, including arrests of other opposition figures and a wave of kidnappings and killings targeting government critics, have sparked condemnation and called for an end to the political crackdown.
Chadma Party was disqualified in this year's general election after demanding election reforms and refusing to comply with the Election Commission's requirement to sign the Code of Conduct.
Prosecutors said Monday that an investigation into treason is still underway, with Lissu's lawyers questioning the delay.
Another former Kenyan chief justice David Maraga said in court that he hopes “the future legal process will be fair, just and prompt”.
The court has urged the prosecution to speed up the process and will try the case again on June 2.
You may also be right:
go bbcafrica.com More news about the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @bbcafrica,on Facebook BBC Africa Or on Instagram bbcafraca
BBC Africa Podcast
