According to the statement, Washington is troubled by what it describes as “ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech,” as well as persistent barriers to U.S. investment.
The United States has announced a comprehensive review of its bilateral relationship with Tanzania, citing escalating repression, election-related violence, and threats to the safety of American citizens in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott said the U.S. values its partnership with the Tanzanian people but warned that recent actions by the government in Dodoma have put the decades-long relationship at risk.
“The United States values its longstanding partnership with the people of Tanzania, which has brought prosperity to our populations and security to the region,” Pigott said.
“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," he added.
According to the statement, Washington is troubled by what it describes as “ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech,” as well as persistent barriers to U.S. investment.
Most concerning, U.S. officials said, are reports of violence against civilians surrounding Tanzania’s October 29 elections.
"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.
“These actions have put American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests in Tanzania at risk,” Pigott warned, adding that the violence “threatened to undermine the mutual prosperity and security that have defined our partnership for decades.”
The statement signals a notable shift in tone toward Tanzania, historically seen as one of East Africa’s more stable partners.
BREAKING: The United States is reviewing its relationship with Tanzania after the government's "ongoing repression" and "disturbing violence against civilians," State Department announces pic.twitter.com/3DcMseO2uq
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The review could lead to adjustments in diplomatic engagement, development programs, or security cooperation, though U.S. officials did not specify potential outcomes.
“The United States cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region,” Pigott said. “The future of our bilateral relationship with the Government of Tanzania will be based on its actions.”
Tanzanian authorities have not yet publicly responded to the announcement.
The review comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny of Tanzania’s human rights record, with international observers expressing concern about deteriorating political freedoms and restrictions on civil society.