Denmark cuts African aid over homophobia

Denmark is cutting about $10 million (£7.8m) in aid to the government of Tanzania over what it called “negative developments” in human rights in the East African country.

Ulla Tornaes, Denmark’s minister for development co-operation, said on Twitter she was “deeply concerned” by developments such as a Tanzanian official’s “completely unacceptable homophobic statements”.

Tanzania is increasingly under the spotlight over its human rights record. Denmark is one of the largest donors to the country.

Most recently the commissioner for the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, urged Tanzanians to “report” suspected homosexuals. The comments were widely criticised by rights groups and disavowed by Tanzania’s federal government.