Tanzania second biggest donor Denmark has decided to withhold financial aid from Tanzania amid concerns over human rights and anti- gay comments made by the commissioner for the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Paul Makonda.
Denmark’s minister for development co-operation, Ulla Tornaes announced that human rights was paramount to Denmark, consequently effecting the decision to withhold 65 million Danish crowns ($9.88 million) from Tanzania.
“I am very concerned about the negative development in Tanzania. Most recently the totally unacceptable homophobic statements from a commissioner I have therefore decided to withhold DKK 65m from the country. Respect for human rights is crucial for Denmark.” Ms Tornaes communicated on Twitter.
A statement made by Mr Makonda urging the public to report gay men to the police has caused the is what led to this decision.
Tanzania’s foreign ministry has however distanced itself from the statement, saying that it represented Mr Makonda’s personal views and not that of the country.
The Tanzanian government has dismissed the criticism.
This comes days after the United States embassy in Tanzania sent out a warning to its citizens planning to visit Tanzania over a planned anti-gay crackdown announced by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda.
Earlier this month, ten men were arrested for allegedly conducting a same sex marriage ceremony on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar.
The move was condemned by human rights groups.