I recently had the privilege of travelling to Tanzania on the safari trip of a lifetime. The country exceeded every expectation — breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and, above all, the warmth and kindness of the Tanzanian people. It is a place that, in many ways, feels more at peace with itself than South Africa.

Yet, as the trip came to an end, my fiancée and I found ourselves caught in the wave of post-election unrest that swept the country. What began as protests quickly turned into a violent state crackdown. Businesses were shuttered, curfews imposed, and for five long days, the internet went dark.

It became painfully clear that in President Samia Suluhu Hassan — who has systematically silenced or imprisoned almost every credible opposition figure — the deep decency of Tanzanians is not reflected. Her image dominated every billboard we passed, a constant reminder of a government that claimed to have secured 98.9 percent of the vote — a figure that would make even the most brazen autocrat blush.

Witnessing the systematic suppression of citizens’ rights and the suffocating impact of curfews and information blackouts was a stark reminder of how fragile freedom can be — and of how vital it is that citizens and businesses alike remain vigilant whenever the state begins to erode those freedoms.

There are many brave men and women in Tanzania who continue to stand up against a government that is failing them — some at the ultimate cost. The damage done to the reputation of a country so dependent on tourism and foreign investment in mining and agriculture is immeasurable. And herein lies the lesson: decline happens slowly, then all at once.

For business, whether in Tanzania, South Africa or anywhere in the world, silence is not a neutral act. Companies have both the ability and responsibility to speak up — to create positive pressure for the protection of fundamental freedoms, and to help sustain the conditions in which enterprise and employment can thrive.

As the old adage goes, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

My recent experience in Tanzania — and events unfolding around the world — are a reminder that we are entering an uncertain and increasingly perilous era. Travel, trade and cross-border operations are becoming more complex by the day. It has never been more important for business leaders to remain clear-eyed about risk, courageous in seizing opportunity, and unafraid to take principled public positions to defend both their interests and the values that underpin free and open societies.

– Paul Boughey
Chief Executive Officer