Members of the European Union parliament have on Wednesday, May 07, 2025, debated a motion for a resolution ‘on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania.’ The motion was adopted as a joint motion for resolution and is scheduled for a vote today, May 8, 2025
The first member to contribute and also one of the authors, Reinhold Lopatka, from Austria, related the correlation between investment and the rule of law.
“The EU contributes hundreds of millions of Euros to Tanzania through various initiatives. We have to be very clear that any European cooperation investment has to be tied to progress in the area of the rule of law and human rights,” Lopatka argued.
Jan-Christoph Oetjen of Germany expressed disillusionment with the political trajectory in Tanzania,
“We had high hopes here in the house after Samia Suluhu Hassan became president of Tanzania. We hoped for reforms in the country, but it appears that it is not a positive way that Tanzania is taking at the moment,” Jan-Christoph Oetjen said.
He continued: “We request that the Tanzanian authorities free him, free Tundu Lissu, and organize free and fair elections, to let opposition parties participate equally in those elections.
The EU is one of Tanzania’s longstanding partners and the region that receives the highest volume of Tanzania’s imports compared to any other export destination. Tanzania also receives significant budgetary support from EU members in the form of grants. Recently, there has been an increase in loans from EU-based financial institutions
Catarina Vieira of the Netherlands, in her submission, urged EU embassies to do more, including following the trials.
“EU can and should do more; we should make any future EU investment in Tanzania conditional upon improvements of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Today this parliament stands with Mr.Lissu and with all of those unjustly deprived of freedom in Tanzania, to them we say you are not alone,” said Catarina Vieira.
In concluding the debate, the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, highlighted the progress that Tanzania and the EU have made in the partnership and emphasized that bilateral engagement will continue.
“We are convinced that a credible and transparent electoral process in Tanzania is key to consolidating a vibrant and healthy democracy, as it unlocks business, trade, and investment potential.” McGrath said.
He added: “We deplore the arrest of and charges against Tundu Lissu and the disqualification of his party, CHADEMA, from participating in the election. While we can not interfere with the judicial process, we urge the authorities to ensure a fair trial for Tundu Lissu, to respect his fundamental rights, and ensure the integrity of the upcoming election.”
Some of the key items of the joint motion of the resolution include a call on the Government to immediately and unconditionally release Lissu, ensuring his safety and his right to a fair trial and legal representation. Also, calls on the Tanzanian authorities to reinstate Chadema’s full participation in the October 2025 elections and to engage with all political parties in transparent and inclusive dialogue on electoral reform, in consultation with civil society groups and other stakeholders.
Speaking with Tanzanian editors on May 07, 2025, during a session toward the launching of the new foreign policy, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, emphasized that regarding political developments the country has remained committed to following the law, “We have not broken any law and we have continued to abide by the law.”
Minister Kombo has also urged diplomats representing their countries in Tanzania to strictly observe the provisions of the Vienna Convention, including refraining from appearing in court without formal authorization from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
