Rio Ferdinand's Tanzania visit becomes 'thorny'

DODOMA, Tanzania 

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United and England star, has said his visit to Tanzania has nothing to do with politics, insisting that he does not get involved in political issues anywhere in the world, including his own country.

'I am not a politician, I did not come here to do politics, no one can tell me what to do or not to do." 

Ferdinand said no one has the authority to tell him what to do or not to do, while expressing his delight at being given the honor of being Tanzania's tourism ambassador.

"I am grateful for this honor and I see it as an opportunity to promote Tanzania to the world." He said.

Ferdinand's reaction came after criticism of what youths in Tanzania called "sportswashing" (using sports to clean up the country's image), after he was seen supporting the Tanzanian government.

Ferdinand, 47, was reportedly welcomed on his visit to Tanzania by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Paul Makonda, who was sanctioned by the US government in 2020 for what it described as “gross human rights abuses”.

Makonda is said to be involved in a campaign against homosexuals.

His wife was also reportedly subject to US sanctions.

The US government said: “He has been involved in the suppression of political opposition, the suppression of freedom of expression and association, and the targeting of marginalised people.”

At a reception after Ferdinand arrived in the country, where he was draped in the Tanzanian flag, he was quoted as calling Makonda: “My friend Paul”.

Amnesty International UK's campaigns director, Felix Jakens, told The Times: "Amnesty International has been closely following the extremely worrying human rights situation in Tanzania, where security forces used excessive force against protesters in late 2025, killing and injuring hundreds."

"In light of this, Rio Ferdinand should be speaking out against the abuses taking place there, not offering his profile in support of the government."

"Celebrity visits are not easy - they send a message - and this has all the hallmarks of cleaning up Tanzania's image through sport."

The organisation has urged Ferdinand to use his platform to speak out against alleged human rights abuses rather than appearing to legitimise the government through his fame.

Though he has not posted anything about Tanzania,  the youths in the country have written a lot criticising his support to the the government that massacred hundreds of people last year.