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.

"Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Tanzania," the advisory also stated.

It added that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons have been "arrested, targeted, harassed and/or charged with unrelated offences".

"Individuals detained under suspicion of same-sex sexual conduct could be subject to forced anal examinations," the State Department noted. Read more via East African