U.S to review bilateral relationship with Tanzania amid security concerns
The United States has announced that it is comprehensively reviewing its relationship with the Government of Tanzania.
The United States government cited concerns over religious freedom, free speech, investment barriers, and violence surrounding the country’s recent elections.
In a statement, the U.S. emphasised that it values its longstanding partnership with Tanzania, a relationship that has historically brought prosperity and regional security.
“The United States values its longstanding partnership with the people of Tanzania, which has brought prosperity to our populations and security to the region. Recent actions by the Government of Tanzania, however, raise grave concerns about the direction of our bilateral relationship and the reliability of the Tanzanian Government as a partner,” the statement read.
“As a result, the United States is comprehensively reviewing our relationship with the Government of Tanzania. The Government of Tanzania’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, the presence of persistent obstacles to U.S. investment, and disturbing violence against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections, required this reconsideration of our ties.”
The review comes in the wake of the October 29 elections, during which the U.S. noted alleged disturbing violence against civilians both before and after the vote.
These events, the statement said, pose risks to American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests in Tanzania, and could undermine decades of mutual prosperity and stability in the region.
According to the statement, the recent actions by the Tanzanian government have raised grave concerns about the reliability of the country as a partner.
“These actions have put American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests in Tanzania at risk, and threatened to undermine the mutual prosperity and security that have defined our partnership for decades.”
In addition to election-related violence, the review cited ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech in Tanzania, as well as persistent obstacles to U.S. investment.
According to them, these factors have prompted a reassessment of how the United States engages with the country, signalling potential changes in diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation.
The U.S. has, however, not provided a timeline for the completion of the review.
On December 1, the United States Embassy in Tanzania issued a security alert to its citizens, warning of possible unrest ahead of planned nationwide anti-government demonstrations scheduled for December 9.
The Embassy cautioned that protest activity could begin as early as December 5, urging travellers and residents to exercise heightened vigilance.
The Embassy warned that travellers to Tanzania over the next several weeks should be prepared for significant disruptions, including the possibility of nationwide curfews, an internet blackout, cancellation of ferries to Zanzibar, cancellation of international flights and roadblocks enforcing strict movement controls.
