A coalition of international missions has raised fresh alarm over the deaths, injuries and widespread violence reported after Tanzania’s recent elections, urging authorities to act swiftly and transparently in addressing the crisis.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the British and Canadian High Commissions, the European Union Delegation and several European embassies said they were deeply troubled by the situation and called for steps that can help the country regain calm and trust.
The group said they “deeply regret the tragic loss of lives and numerous injuries in the wake of the elections” and reminded security forces to act “with maximum restraint” as the nation works to restore order. They noted that both local and international monitors had shared credible accounts pointing to “extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and concealment of dead bodies.”
They asked Tanzanian officials to “urgently release all the bodies of the dead to their families, to further release all political prisoners and allow detainees legal and medical support.”elections
The missions also pressed the government to take up the recommendations highlighted in preliminary reports by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, which pointed to key weaknesses in the electoral process.
According to the statement, the missions welcomed the government’s admission that understanding “the root causes and circumstances of the violence, including deaths, is a vital step towards justice and reconciliation.”
They insisted, however, that any investigation must be “independent, transparent, and inclusive,” and should bring together civil society, religious groups and all political players.
The group further underlined the need for full respect of constitutional freedoms, including open expression and access to information, while ensuring those responsible for abuses are held to account.
Their message combined calls for humanitarian action with a push for reforms, signalling international scrutiny over Tanzania’s political and human rights climate.
Their remarks came a day after the United States announced it was reassessing its relationship with Tanzania following reports of rights violations before and after the October 29 polls.
In a statement on Thursday, Thomas Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, criticised the Samia Suluhu-led administration for suppressing freedoms that citizens are entitled to.
The United States added that recent actions had also raised concerns about the safety of its citizens and tourists visiting Tanzania, placing pressure on ties between the two countries.
“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 US statement read. “As a result, the United States is comprehensively reviewing our relationship with the Government of Tanzania.”
Pigott said the review was necessary because the US cannot ignore actions that risk the well-being of its people or disturb peace in the region.
“The United States cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region. The future of our bilateral relationship with the Government of Tanzania will be based on its actions,” he said.
