UNDP head in Tanzania expelled by the government

The Tanzanian government has expelled the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from the country for “strained relations” in her office.

The country’s foreign ministry announced the expulsion of Gambian Awa Dabo and accused her of poor performance.

“The government took this decision because Ms. Awa Dabo did not have good relations with her colleagues, which negatively affected the activities of the institution in the country,” said the statement published in Swahili.

“The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would like to ask UNDP to remind its staff that its priority must be to work with the government to achieve the development objectives,” it added.

A source told AFP that Ms Dabo’s expulsion was linked to her involvement in the political issues in Zanzibar after criticizing elections on the island last year. She is reported to have been deported same day the decision was taken.

The controversial election in the archipelago was canceled in 2015 after the opposition claimed victory. They boycotted a rerun in 2016 which was won by the ruling party candidate.