EU suspends aid to Tanzania over election irregularities; government seeks diplomatic resolution while diversifying partners.
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The European Union suspended 156 million euros in aid to Tanzania following a European Parliament resolution condemning human rights abuses and brutal police actions during the October 2025 presidential election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan win with near-unanimous support despite opposition claims of widespread irregularities. Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo traveled to Brussels to negotiate the resumption of these funds. EU officials maintained that aid suspension would remain in place until progress was made on releasing activists, investigating violence, and restoring political dialogue, though the EU wished to maintain a strong relationship with Tanzania. In response, President Hassan announced an investigative commission into the autumn violence, but analysts question its independence due to government involvement. Economically, Tanzania has shown significant growth, with GDP tripling between 2004 and 2023, yet poverty remains high as over 70 percent of the population lives on less than $3.65 a day. While the EU’s influence in trade and finance is waning due to aid freezes, other global players like China, India, and Russia are increasing their presence; Tanzania is attempting to mend ties with Brussels while diversifying its international partners. The future of the suspended EU funds depends on whether political gestures lead to genuine institutional change.
