Tanzania Faces Increased Threats from Homegrown Terror As Police Nab 26 in Anti-Terror Crackdown

Event Summary

Tanzania authorities are holding 26 terrorist suspects in Dar es Salaam apprehended in an anti-terror crackdown in various parts of the city and Coast Region.

Police were able to net down the dozens including the country’s most wanted terrorist Ally Ulatule, aged between 55 and 60. Ulatule has been at large fro authorities for a long time and will be convicted for serious crimes conducted in Dar es Salaam and surrounding areas.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of two Submachine guns (SMGs), 23 rounds of ammunitions and two magazines.

In a separate incident, 14 suspected armed robbers were allegedly found in possession of five weapons including three pistols, one SMG and 22 rounds of ammunitions. They are suspected to commit robberies in separate hotels in the city.

Summary

There is an ongoing crackdown on terror in various parts of Tanzania as the country increasingly witnesses to increased incidences of home grown terror.

The country has had to grapple with several incidents of raiding police stations where police officers have been killed and weapons looted. The guns that were recovered from the suspects were among those looted in police stations raids in Coast Region on 21st of June, last year and 21st of January, this year.

Analysis and Forecast

Tanzania is struggling with home grown terrorism even as the country faces threats from Islamist militant spill over from neighboring countries.

Intelligence analysis forecasts a possibility of increased threats as the country approaches her elections. Tanzania presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for Sunday 25th October 2015. The official campaign period began on 22 August.