US Warns Gay Citizens Traveling to Tanzania

The United States has warned its citizens to be careful when visiting Tanzania over the country’s continued crackdown on gay people.

In an advisory on Tuesday, the US State Department urged gay Americans to “exercise increased caution” while in Tanzania due to threats that members of the LGBT community may experience there.

“Members of the LGBTI community have been arrested, targeted, harassed, and/or charged with unrelated offenses,” the State Department stated.

“Individuals detained under suspicion of same-sex sexual conduct could be subject to forced anal examinations.”

Last year, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda unveiled a newly formed surveillance squad to scrutinize social media in order to identify and arrest gay couples.

In the updated travel advisory on Tanzania, the State Department further warned that “terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Tanzania.” 

"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting embassies, police stations, mosques, and other places frequented by Westerners," it said.