File image of President Samia Suluhu.
The United States (US) government has announced that it is comprehensively reviewing its relationship with Tanzania.
In a statement on Thursday, December 4, the US Department of State said the decision follows concerns about governance, security, and the overall direction of the bilateral relationship.
“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.
“As a result, the United States is comprehensively reviewing our relationship with the Government of Tanzania,” read the statement in part.
The US Department of State said the review was prompted by several issues, including human rights concerns, investment barriers, and election-related violence.
US noted that these events pose risks to American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests in Tanzania and could undermine decades of shared prosperity and stability in the region.
“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.
“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,” the statement added.
Further, the US said it will not overlook actions that jeopardise the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region.
This comes after the US 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.
On November 4, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen called for a review of relations between the US and Tanzania following the recent general election, which was marred by violence.
Senator Shaheen said Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has endangered the safety of Tanzanians and tourists in the country.
“Tanzania’s ruling party has endangered the safety of its citizens and tourists in the country. After these fraudulent elections, the U.S.-Tanzania relationship must be reviewed,” said Senator Shaheen.
