US warns on Tanzania travel due to 'crime and terror'

Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda. He had called for a crackdown on suspected homosexuals. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The State Department has urged US citizens to "exercise increased caution" while in Tanzania due to concerns over crime, terrorism and official actions targeting people on the basis of their gender or sexual identity.

Violent crime is "common" in Tanzania, the State Department said on Wednesday, citing risks of assault, kidnapping, sexual assault and carjacking.