The US State Department said on Thursday that it is reevaluating its relationship with Tanzania in the wake of a violent crackdown on demonstrators following contested presidential elections in October. According to estimates from UN human rights experts, hundreds of people were shot dead and hundreds more were taken into custody following the vote.
In a statement, State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, “This reconsideration of our ties was necessary due to the Government of Tanzania’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, the presence of persistent obstacles to U.S. investment, and the disturbing violence against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections.
These actions have threatened to undermine the mutual prosperity and security that have defined our partnership for decades, and they have put American citizens, tourists, and U.S. interests in Tanzania at risk.
The US declaration follows an exclusive CNN investigation that revealed unarmed protestors were shot and killed by police and armed patrolmen. The violence inflicted on young protestors after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was re-elected, according to geolocated videos, audio forensic analysis of the gunshots, and first-hand testimonies from victims and witnesses. Hassan claimed to have won with 98% of the vote after excluding her primary opponents.
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