The United States has begun a comprehensive review of its relationship with Tanzania, citing deteriorating human rights conditions, restrictions on investment, and violence surrounding the country’s October 29 elections.
In a statement on Thursday, the State Department said recent actions by the Tanzanian government had raised “grave concerns” about the direction of the bilateral partnership, which Washington described as long-standing and central to regional security.
The US accused the government of repressing religious freedom and free speech, creating barriers to American investment, and failing to prevent “disturbing” violence against civilians before and after the elections. These developments, it said, had put US citizens, tourists and American interests in Tanzania at risk.
“The United States cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region,” the statement said, adding that the future of the relationship “will be based on [Tanzania’s] actions.”
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Washington said its reassessment reflected a need to safeguard mutual prosperity and security that had defined the partnership for decades.
