Tanzanian government has banned the popular children book series ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ from schools in the East African Country.

The books have been banned as the government declares they violate local cultural norms.

The Education Minister, Adolf Mkenda announced on Monday, a permanent ban on the book and said the government is monitoring libraries in both public and private schools to ensure they are not on the shelves.

It has not been made clear what content in the book series, illustrated by US Author Jeff Kinney that follow the life of a schoolboy, had offended the government.

Other Banned Books

The minister also announced other banned books including, ‘Sex Education. A Guide to life.’ However, the names he gave for the books appeared to be pages from ‘An ABC of Equality’ which included the terms transgender and LGBTQIA.

“We are banning these books from schools and other education institutions because they contradicted Tanzania cultural norms and morals,”Mkendo told reporters.

“The books also violate the good practices of bringing up our children.” He said calling on parents to check their children’s bags to make sure they do not have such books.

The Minister also said they were on the first list of “unacceptable books ‘ and urged the public to report other similar books.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan , met university student leaders and asked them to be careful with some ‘imported cultures.’

“If you are a Tanzania, live in accordance with our cultures,” The president said.

Her comment followed remarks by a senior member of the ruling party CCM party frank Haule, who claimed the same same sex activities was uncontrolled in universities.

“That practice is contrary to our cultures and is prohibited by religious books,” Haule said.

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