In the face of criticism from Tanzanian lawmakers demanding her punishment over alleged interference in their country’s internal affairs, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader made one thing clear she will not be silenced for speaking out on human rights.
Addressing the press with characteristic resolve, Karua dismissed the Tanzanian MPs’ comments as baseless provocations, unworthy of a response. But she didn’t stop there. Instead, she turned the spotlight back on the very issue at the center of the storm: a government, in her words, losing its moral compass.
Karua took aim at President Samia Suluhu’s administration, accusing it of abandoning constitutional principles and engaging in systemic human rights violations. She pointed specifically to the case of opposition figure Tundu Lissu, whose treatment she described as a “failure of justice” and a clear signal of a politically compromised legal system.
For Karua, this isn’t about a diplomatic spat. It’s about a deeper issue one that transcends borders. “A state that can openly violate its own Constitution and laws, including regional and international standards, cannot claim to defend its people’s rights,” she declared. Her message was as much a condemnation as it was a warning: a government’s legitimacy begins with how it treats its critics.
And when confronted with personal attacks from across the border, Karua stood her ground. She refused to “descend to their level,” as she put it, insisting that her critique wasn’t an affront to sovereignty but a necessary stance against injustice.
In a region where political diplomacy often comes at the cost of moral clarity, Karua’s defiance stands out. Whether one agrees with her methods or not, she’s made her position clear: silence in the face of repression is not an option.
