The government of Tanzania has denied entry to a delegation from the European Parliament tasked with investigating allegations of electoral violence and human rights violations linked to the country’s 2025 general elections.
Following reports of violence against protesters, human rights abuses, and electoral irregularities during Tanzania’s general elections held on 29 October last year, the European Parliament sent delegates to conduct an investigation.
However, a recent report reveals that Tanzanian authorities blocked the entry of these delegates, preventing them from entering the country.
The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights approved the mission in November 2025. Since then, the mission has faced several setbacks.
In February 2026, Tanzanian authorities requested the postponement of the visit, which had initially been scheduled for that month. The justification given was the need for the country to complete its own internal investigation into election-related violence.
On 24 April 2026, Tanzania’s national commission of inquiry concluded and published its findings. After that, the European Parliament rescheduled the visit for late May. However, authorities still have not confirmed the dates, effectively blocking the delegation’s trip to the East African country.
Objectives of the mission and possible diplomatic consequences
In addition to investigating human rights violations and electoral irregularities, the delegates were also tasked with auditing European Union (EU)-funded projects to ensure compliance with required standards.
The subcommittee also planned to meet with stakeholders, civil society organisations, and legal bodies such as the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, based in the Tanzanian city of Arusha.
Mounir Satouri, a French politician and chair of the subcommittee, expressed deep concern over the stance of Tanzanian authorities. He stated that the repeated delays and postponements represent a clear sign of “refusal” to cooperate.
Despite the frustration, the European Parliament said it remains open to dialogue.
Meanwhile, Satouri confirmed that the subcommittee will use all available mechanisms to monitor the rule of law in Tanzania, while actively assessing the future of diplomatic relations with the country.
Source: Business Insider Africa
