A protester holds a placard throughout a picket in Cape City, South Africa, protesting towards the Tanzanian authorities throughout their presidential election in Oct. 2025
RODGER BOSCH/AFP through Getty Pictures
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RODGER BOSCH/AFP through Getty Pictures
NAIROBI, KENYA —The U.S. is “comprehensively reviewing” its ties with Tanzania after the State Division condemned “repression” and “disturbing violence against civilians” throughout protests that adopted the nation’s disputed October presidential election, which returned President Samia Suluhu Hassan to energy.
Officers stated the federal government’s actions elevate critical considerations in regards to the bilateral relationship and the East African nations’ reliability as a companion.
In line with the nation’s essential opposition get together, the United Nations and several other rights teams, tons of of individuals could have been killed on account of the federal government crackdown on protestors, although the federal government has not launched an official loss of life toll and unbiased verification stays restricted.
That is Washington’s strongest rebuke towards Tanzania which final month noticed the European Union droop tens of tens of millions of {dollars} in assist, citing the crackdown and lack of transparency.
It comes simply days after Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan angrily hit out Western nations, non secular leaders and opposition figures, accusing them of interfering within the nation’s inner affairs.
“Do they still think they’re still our masters, our colonizers? Why, because of the little money they give us?” she instructed a gathering of elders from the business capital Dar es Salaam.
Hassan described the lethal violence as an tried coup and defended safety forces accused of killing tons of of protesters.
“Were these really demonstrations or acts of violence? People were destroying government buildings, raiding police stations, and stealing weapons. Police are mandated to protect lives and property. When people say they used excessive force — what were they supposed to do, just sit and watch a coup happening?” She instructed the applauding crowd.
Hassan claimed she received 98% of the vote within the Oct. 29 election, though the primary opposition events had been blocked from collaborating and several other of their leaders had been arrested on treason expenses.
A portrait of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan throughout the October election marketing campaign 2025.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP through Getty Pictures
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MARCO LONGARI/AFP through Getty Pictures
Hassan grew to become president in 2021 following the sudden loss of life of President John Magufuli and initially positioned herself as a reformer. However critics say she has continued and intensified the earlier regime’s crackdown on dissent.
Opposition leaders deny plotting towards the state and say the federal government’s crackdown has killed greater than 2,000 protesters. Dozens have been arrested, opposition workplaces raided, and outstanding organizers compelled into hiding. A whole lot of protesters stay lacking and are feared useless.
Amongst these killed was John Oduor, a Kenyan trainer shot in Dar es Salaam on polling day. Greater than a month later, his physique stays in a Tanzanian morgue, and his household has nonetheless been unable to repatriate him for a standard burial.
“I appeal to the President of this great nation, my country, Kenya — please come out and assist us,” Oduor’s elder sister Celestine instructed NPR. “We need closure as a family. We are tortured, emotionally and psychologically.”
Forward of deliberate demonstrations on Dec. 9, U.N. human rights specialists condemned widespread violations in Tanzania, together with alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and mass detentions of protesters, opposition figures, and civil society.
“The Government must provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all disappeared persons,” the specialists stated. “All restrictions on media coverage must be lifted, as they are incompatible with Tanzania’s international obligations.”
Amnesty Worldwide and different proper teams says Tanzania’s publish election disaster marks a deepening disaster within the area, with opposition and press freedom crackdowns in East Africa
For the Oduor household and tons of of others trying to find family members, the political rhetoric affords little consolation. “Each day without answers,” Celestine instructed NPR, “is harder than the last.”
