Frank Shusha

To U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, William Trachman 🇺🇸🇹🇿 @usembassytz As we approach October 29, one of the darkest days in Tanzania’s history, may I remind you of your words during your Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on April 28, 2026. You said: “This will not be swept under the rug.” You also declared that Tanzania “must be held to account.” We expect those words to translate into action. Religious freedom: You described religious freedom as “nonnegotiable” and insisted that constitutional protections must have real meaning in people’s lives. You said they “have to be lived.” We expect religious freedom to be defended in practice, not merely stated in principle. Freedom of expression and the rule of law: You linked these fundamental freedoms to Tanzania’s long-term stability and prosperity. We expect the United States to stand firmly for these principles. You committed to including the October 2025 violence in the comprehensive bilateral review of U.S.–Tanzania relations. We expect that review to address the killings, the responsibility of those involved, and the need for credible investigations and accountability. Here in the United States, we continue following the progress of the bipartisan Reassessing the United States–Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act (S.4577), introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Ted Cruz and advanced through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We hope Congress will move this legislation forward and that the United States will hold those responsible for the October 29 killings accountable. Tomorrow, Tanzanian diaspora members here in the United States will gather at the Tanzanian Embassy for a vigil honoring the many souls lost on October 29 last year. We will mourn alongside the families, remember those whose lives were taken, and continue pushing for truth and accountability. We also hope the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania will hold a vigil or observe a moment of silence on October 29 in remembrance of the victims. Remember those who have been forcibly disappeared. Remember families still seeking to bury their loved ones and those still desperately seeking answers about what happened to them. Their pain cannot be ignored, and their questions cannot be buried. We must also remember Tundu Lissu, who remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges -His freedom matters. There are still many questions- Where is Polepole? Where is Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi? What about the whereabouts of others whose fates remain unknown? As long as Lissu remains in prison, as long as the whereabouts of Polepole, Nchimbi, and many others remain unanswered, and as long as families continue to seek truth about their loved ones, we will continue demanding justice. Whatever staged national days of prayer may take place, they will not erase the truth about the October 29 killings or cleanse the record of the human-rights violations that continue to concern Tanzanians. Prayer matters to many of us, but prayer must never become a substitute for truth, justice, and accountability. Ambassador Trachman, we will remember your promises. We will watch what follows. As an American originally from Tanzania, I sincerely hope you will represent the United States with integrity and courage, honor your commitments, and pursue truth, accountability, and the common good-with respect for the human spirit and the dignity of every person. May the victims of October 29 rest in power. 🕯️We shall not forget. HATUTAWASAHAU🥲We shall light candles. We shall say your names. #FreeTunduLissu. Where is Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi? We demand truth. We demand justice. We demand accountability. 🇹🇿🕯️ Tomorrow we will hold a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC, outside the Tanzanian Embassy (Ubalozi wa Tanzania DC). KAMWE HATUTAWASAHAU 📍 Location: 1232 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037 📅 Date: October 23, 2026 🕚 Time: 11:00 AM @StateDept @SecRubio @statedeptspox @AsstSecStateAF