THE government of Tanzania has summoned a US diplomat over a security alert on the Embassy’s Twitter account that was warning US citizens of impending attacks in some parts of the East African country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
The embassy posted the Tweet on Wednesday this week saying: “There are rumors of impending attacks in the Masaki area of Dar es Salaam specifically at hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists, and at Slipways shopping center on the Msasani Peninsula.”
Following the alert, the foreign ministry today summoned the deputy ambassador Ms Ann Marie Warmenhoven-Tillias over the matter. The embassy sent the deputy ambassador’s representative. The ministry later issued a statement saying representative accepted the embassy’s responsibility for the tweet and that although it was meant for US citizens, it had caused unnecessary anxiety to the society. The embassy was not readily available to comment on the matter.
Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Dr. Faraji Kasidi Mnyepe said there was no confirmation of any threat and, hence, assured visiting and resident foreigners of security during their stay in Dar es Salaam.
