from ALLOYCE KIMBUNGA in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania Bureau
DAR-ES-SALAAM, (CAJ News) – THE United States looks likely to sanction Tanzania following the controversial elections the latter held at the end of October.
President Donald Trump’s government said this was among a number of violations that are rupturing the longstanding partnership with the people of Tanzania, which had brought prosperity to their populations and security to the region.
“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,” Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson: Department of State, said.
Noting late on Thursday, he said as a result, the US was “comprehensively reviewing” its relationship with the Government of Tanzania.
Pigott said the Government of Tanzania’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, the presence of persistent obstacles to US investment, and “disturbing violence” against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections, required this reconsideration of ties.
“These actions have put American citizens, tourists, and US interests in Tanzania at risk, and threatened to undermine the mutual prosperity and security that have defined our partnership for decades.”
Pigott said the US could not overlook actions that jeopardise the safety of its 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.
Samia Suluhu Hassan retained power in Tanzania after elections marred by crackdowns by government forces.
An unspecified number of people have been killed, jailed and allegedly kidnapped.
Tanzania is the latest African country, after South Africa and Zambia, to fall out with Trump’s government this year.
– CAJ News