DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - The European Union has recalled its envoy in Tanzania and will review its relations with the country in response to a planned crackdown homosexuals.

Brussels also criticised what it saw as growing human rights violations in Tanzania.

“The EU regrets the deterioration of the human rights and rule of law situation in Tanzania and will be conducting a broad review of its relations with Tanzania,” spokeswoman Susanne Mbise said in a statement.

Paul Makonda, administrative chief of the capital Dar es Salaam, said last Wednesday that a special committee would seek to identify and punish homosexuals, prostitutes and online fraudsters in the city from this week. The foreign ministry has said Makonda’s anti-gay campaign represented his own views and not the official government position. Read more via Reuters