Dutch EU envoy (Roeland van de Geer) ask to leave the Tanzania soil

The government of Tanzania deported the Dutch top diplomat Roeland van de Geer. That reports the Indian Ocean Newsletter, a newspaper that is seen as reliable and independent. That writes the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Van de Geer is the head of the diplomatic delegation of the European Union. He is known for his “frankness” and “empowerment” and would have been too openly critical about the human rights theme.

“The head of the European Union in Dar es Salaam, Roeland van de Geer, has been asked by the government to leave Tanzanian soil as of tomorrow 3 November, according to information obtained”

Kwa mujibu wa Jarida la Africa Intellingence Toleo la leo
balozi wa EU afurushwa Tanzania
The head of the European Union in Dar es Salaam, Roeland van de Geer, has been asked by the government to leave Tanzanian soil as of tomorrow
3 November, according to information obtained pic.twitter.com/FdPo8TU7MH

— liberty (@Oraibtz) November 2, 2018

Local media point to an earlier statement by the EU, in which Member States were encouraged to denounce “recent developments” in Tanzania that “undermine democratic rights”.

That statement followed the death of a student, the attack on an opposition figure and the disappearance of several journalists. Why Van de Geer was actually sent away is not clear.

Sick Maxima
The Government Information Service denies “firmly” that the decision of the Dutch Queen Maxima, who had to cancel a visit to the country on behalf of the UN because of intestinal complaints, has something to do with the measure.