After Tanzania’s post-election unrest and human rights concerns, relations with the U.S. are once again in the spotlight.
The U.S Department of State reported on December 4 that it was reviewing its diplomatic relations with Tanzania due to what it described as, Ongoing repression and concerning violence against the civilian population. Officials suggested that if violations are no longer to be resolved, Tanzania confronted being blacklisted and with that, its inclusive partnership with the U.S. would come to an end.
“United States of America still stands with the people of Tanzania and the partnership that has contributed to the growth and stability of the Africa’s Eastern and Southern regions; but the actions of the government of Tanzania in the recent past has affected the nature of partnership between Tanzania and United States of America”.
Tommy Pigott, the State Department’s spokesperson showed concern on the violation of human rights.
He pointed out that actions preceding October 29, 2023, elections in Tanzania put American citizens as well as tourists in the country, in danger.
The warning comes in the wake of the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, an election round, and an election period, revision, and observation organized by the international community in a situation of irregularities.
President Suluhu defended the deployment of security forces during the unrest, saying the measures were necessary to prevent an attempted coup. She accused international observers of applying double standards, wondering why neighboring countries that faced similar unrest faced less criticism.
Meanwhile, human rights groups have filed a petition at the ICC in The Hague, seeking investigations into deaths and abuses that occurred during and after the elections.
The U.S. has made it clear that the future of its relations with Tanzania would depend on how the government addressed these political and human rights challenges. As international pressure mounts further, Tanzania stands at a crossroads in its balancing act between governance, security, and human rights.
