Tanzania threatens to revoke registration of churches that criticize president

The Tanzanian government has threatened to revoke the registration of churches after a bishop used a Christmas sermon to criticize President John Magufuli for muzzling political expression in the country.

On Thursday, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Projest Rwegasira, warned that the government may revoke the licenses of religious organizations that "mix religion and politics."

"Recently, some leaders of (religious) societies have been using their sermons to analyze political issues, which is contrary to the law," Rwegasira said in a statement, as reported by Africa News.

"Any violation of the law could lead to cancellation of the registration of the concerned religious society," he added.

While Tanzania's constitution protects the freedom of worship, religious organizations are required to obtain a license at the Home Affairs Ministry to operate legally.

The warning came just days after a bishop delivered a sermon criticizing Magufuli for "quietly turning the country into a one-state rule by systematically banning political activity."

Opposition leaders have warned that the tolerance for dissent has been rapidly disappearing in the country since Magufuli took office in 2015.

In 2016, the Magufuli administration had banned opposition rallies on the grounds that the campaigns are over and that the opposition should wait until the next campaign season in 2020.

Zachary Kakobe, the founder of the Full Gospel Bible Fellowship Church, called on the president to repent, noting that the government appeared to be reversing the country's democratic gains.

"If the country has been returned to a one-party state, we should be told so. You just go to Parliament and pass a law to effect that, because you (CCM) are the majority," the bishop said, according to The East African.

"Even God does not intimidate his critics and He is mightier than Magufuli. Who are you not to be criticised? Military forces are not mightier than God... it is high time Magufuli repented," he went on to say.

The public notice from the Home Affairs Ministry was issued to religious organizations after the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party accused Kakobe of mixing religion and politics.

Magufuli had won some praise from Western donors for his anti-corruption campaign and cuts to wasteful public spending. Opponents have accused him of undermining democracy by stifling dissent and free speech, but the president has denied the allegations, saying he is no dictator.

Despite his denial, several newspapers have reportedly been shut down and over a dozen suspects have been prosecuted for allegedly insulting Magufuli via WhatsApp and other social media platforms.