Tanzania warns U.S. embassy against issuing security alerts

Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on Thursday warned the U.S. embassy against issuing security alerts without observing laws of the country and diplomatic procedures agreed globally.

A statement issued by the ministry said the security alert issued by the U.S. embassy on Wednesday has caused panic among citizens and foreigners intending to visit the country.

The statement said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Faraji Mnyepe and other senior officials held talks with the U.S. Deputy Head of Mission in Tanzania Ann Marie Warmenhoven-Tilias over the issuing of the security alert.

The statement said the U.S. embassy official admitted that the embassy did a mistake to issue the security alert which did not specifically target Americans but the entire general public, causing panic.

The statement said Mnyepe urged Tanzanian citizens and foreigners living in the country to proceed with their businesses, saying defense and security bodies were working to ensure peace and tranquility prevailed in the country.