Trump Sanctions Suluhu’s Right-Hand Man Over Alleged Torture of Activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather
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The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on senior Tanzanian police officer Faustine Jackson Mafwele over alleged human rights violations involving Kenyan activist Agather Atuhaireand Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, by the office of Marco Rubio, the sanctions were imposed under Section 7031(c) of the US Department of State appropriations law.
“@StateDept is designating Tanzanian Police Force Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustine Jackson Mafwele for involvement in gross violations of human rights,” read part of the statement.
US Cites Human Rights Violations for Sanctioning Faustine Mafwele
The US Department of State said it had credible information linking Mafwele to the detention, torture, and sexual assault of Mwangi and Atuhaire while they were in Dar es Salaam one year ago.
According to the statement, the two activists had travelled to Tanzania to observe court proceedings involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
“One year ago, members of the Tanzanian Police Force detained, tortured, and sexually assaulted Ugandan Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan Boniface Mwangi,” the statement added.
The sanctions prohibit Mafwele from entering the United States.
Pressure Mounts on Suluhu Administration
The latest move by the US government piles pressure on the administration of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan amid growing international concern over human rights and the treatment of activists in the country.
Mwangi and Atuhaire’s alleged torture sparked condemnation from human rights groups across East Africa, with activists demanding accountability from Tanzanian authorities.
In May 2025, Mwangi and Atuhaire travelled to Tanzania to monitor the trial of Tundu Lissu before they were reportedly arrested at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam by immigration and police officers on May 19.
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The two activists later claimed they were abducted by unidentified security officers and held incommunicado for about four days in an unknown location.
According to their accounts, they were subjected to torture, beatings, humiliation, and sexual violence during detention as authorities allegedly sought information related to their activism and human rights work.
Mwangi was later abandoned at the Kenya-Tanzania border while Atuhaire was reportedly dumped at the Tanzania-Uganda border before making their way back home.
The two later publicly narrated their ordeal during a joint press conference, describing the experience as traumatic and life-changing.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, condemned the incident and called for investigations into the alleged abuse.
Mwangi and Atuhaire later filed a case against Tanzania at the East African Court of Justice seeking accountability over the alleged violations.
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Tanzania President Samia Suluhu speaking at the Summit of Heads of State and Government on Nuclear Energy Innovation in Africa (NEISA) held on May 19, 2026. PHOTO/ Suluhu X.