New Delhi, May 23 -- The United States has sanctioned Tanzania's police chief and barred him from entering the U.S., citing alleged human rights violations committed by the police force.

The sanctions announced Thursday followed a general election in October in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won a full term with 97% of the vote after a crackdown on opposition figures. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in December said the country was reviewing its ties with Tanzania over repression and election violence.

Rubio said the sanctions designation against police Senior Assistant Commissioner Faustine Jackson Mafwele was based on credible information he was involved in rights violations.

"One year ago, members of the (Tanzanian pol...