EU Parliament Moves to Block $179 Million Tanzania Funding Over Election and Rights Abuses

Lawmakers rejected the Commission’s draft aid package after reports of post-election violence that killed more than 500 people, calling for a revised proposal that does not undermine human rights and democracy.

The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to withdraw its proposed €156 million funding package for Tanzania, escalating tensions between Brussels and Dar es Salaam over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights violations.

Members of the European Parliament adopted the resolution on Thursday by a show of hands, rejecting the Commission’s draft implementing decision on Tanzania’s 2026 annual action plan funding. Lawmakers argued that the proposal failed to reflect earlier parliamentary concerns about governance, democratic standards, and the aftermath of Tanzania’s October 2025 elections.

The disputed elections have been widely criticised following reports of irregularities and a violent crackdown on post-election protests. According to a Tanzanian national commission of inquiry cited by MEPs, at least 518 people died during the unrest, although the report did not attribute responsibility or publish detailed findings.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the disputed election with more than 97 percent of the vote, a result the opposition dismissed as “completely fabricated.” The election was marred by violence, with protesters taking to the streets and the military deployed to quell riots. The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu of Chadema, was jailed on treason charges months before the vote, and another opposition candidate was barred from running on technical grounds.

A Tanzanian national commission of inquiry cited by MEPs found at least 518 deaths during the unrest. The African Union and the Southern African Development Community said the election did not meet accepted democratic standards, citing ballot-stuffing, repression and systemic flaws.

In the resolution, MEPs also pointed to the continued detention of opposition figures and expressed concern over restrictions on political freedoms and civil society engagement. They further criticised what they described as repeated refusals by Tanzanian authorities to allow a European Parliament human rights delegation to visit the country.

Lawmakers argued that the Commission’s draft decision exceeded its mandate and was inconsistent with EU legal frameworks governing external assistance. They are now calling for a revised proposal that ensures EU funding does not undermine human rights, democracy, or civil society support in Tanzania.

The European Commission had previously suspended the approval process for the funding package in November 2025 following initial concerns raised by MEPs. However, lawmakers said those concerns had not been adequately addressed in the revised plan.

The Tanzanian government has since pivoted to Russia amid the fallout with the European Union. Earlier this month, President Hassan made the first Tanzanian state visit to Russia in 57 years, taking part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum as the East African nation signals a shift in its external partnerships. Tanzania is now seeking more than $2 billion in Russian investment and business deals over the next three to five years.

The €156 million programme forms part of broader EU development assistance aimed at supporting governance reforms and basic service delivery in Tanzania, but its future now remains uncertain amid rising political scrutiny in Brussels.

Source: Accra Street Journal 

Last Updated on June 19, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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