The United States government has sanctioned Faustine Jackson Mafwele, Tanzania’s Police Force Senior Assistant Commissioner over the alleged detention, torture and sexual assault of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire.

In a statement issued on May 21, 2026, Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. Department of State had designated the senior Tanzanian police officer under Section 7031(c) for alleged involvement in gross human rights violations.

According to Rubio, there was credible information linking Mafwele to the abuse of the two activists while they were in Tanzanian custody in May 2025. The sanctions bar him from entering the United States.

“The Department of State is designating Tanzanian Police Force Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustine Jackson Mafwele under Section 7031(c) based on credible information that he was involved in gross violations of human rights,” Rubio said.

Mwangi and Atuhaire had travelled to Dar es Salaam to observe the court appearance of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was facing treason charges.

The two activists were reportedly abducted from their hotel shortly after arriving in Tanzania before being detained, interrogated and subjected to abuse. They were later abandoned near the borders of their respective countries.

Mwangi was reportedly found in Ukunda on May 22, 2025, after being held for more than three days, while Atuhaire was later discovered near the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania.

The incident occurred amid a wider crackdown that also saw the detention and deportation of several regional figures, including Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and activist Hanifa Adan at Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Following his release, Mwangi accused Tanzanian authorities under President Samia Suluhu Hassan of orchestrating the abuse and vowed to continue speaking out about the ordeal.