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 Photos
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RODGER BOSCH/AFP through Getty Photos
NAIROBI, KENYA —The U.S. is “comprehensively reviewing” its ties with Tanzania after the State Division condemned “repression” and “disturbing violence towards 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 associate.
In response to the nation’s fundamental opposition get together, the United Nations and several other rights teams, lots of of individuals could have been killed because of the federal government crackdown on protestors, although the federal government has not launched an official dying 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 support, 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 inside affairs.
“Do they nonetheless suppose they’re nonetheless our masters, our colonizers? Why, due to the little cash they provide us?” she instructed a gathering of elders from the industrial capital Dar es Salaam.
Hassan described the lethal violence as an tried coup and defended safety forces accused of killing lots of of protesters.
“Had been these actually demonstrations or acts of violence? Individuals had been destroying authorities buildings, raiding police stations, and stealing weapons. Police are mandated to guard lives and property. When individuals say they used extreme pressure — what had been they purported to do, simply sit and watch a coup occurring?” She instructed the applauding crowd.
Hassan claimed she received 98% of the vote within the Oct. 29 election, though the principle opposition events had been blocked from taking part and several other of their leaders had been arrested on treason fees.
A portrait of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan throughout the October election marketing campaign 2025.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP through Getty Photos
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MARCO LONGARI/AFP through Getty Photos
Hassan grew to become president in 2021 following the sudden dying 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 places of work raided, and outstanding organizers pressured into hiding. Tons of of protesters stay lacking and are feared lifeless.
Amongst these killed was John Oduor, a Kenyan instructor 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 enchantment to the President of this nice nation, my nation, Kenya — please come out and help us,” Oduor’s elder sister Celestine instructed NPR. “We’d like closure as a household. We’re tortured, emotionally and psychologically.”
Forward of deliberate demonstrations on Dec. 9, U.N. human rights consultants condemned widespread violations in Tanzania, together with alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and mass detentions of protesters, opposition figures, and civil society.
“The Authorities should present data on the destiny and whereabouts of all disappeared individuals,” the consultants stated. “All restrictions on media protection have to be lifted, as they’re incompatible with Tanzania’s worldwide obligations.”
Amnesty Worldwide and different proper teams says Tanzania’s submit election disaster marks a deepening disaster within the area, with opposition and press freedom crackdowns in East Africa
For the Oduor household and lots of of others looking for family members, the political rhetoric gives little consolation. “Every day with out solutions,” Celestine instructed NPR, “is tougher than the final.”
