Dar es Salaam – Committees within the European Parliament have formally objected to a plan by the European Commission to allocate €156 million (Sh438.7 billion) in development funds to Tanzania in 2026.
The move, driven by concerns over alleged “democratic backsliding” and violent unrest following the country’s recent general election, sends a clear warning signal to the East African nation about the international community’s perspective on its governance.
The objection was raised on Thursday by a joint vote in the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the European Parliament Committee on Development (DEVE).
The committees overwhelmingly adopted the objection to the European Commission’s implementing act under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe) Regulation, with a vote of 53 in favour, two against, and one abstention.
“This is a clear political signal that the EU cannot proceed on the basis of documents that ignore repression, fraudulent elections and the government’s authoritarian rule,” stated David McAllister, chair of the AFET committee, following the vote.
READ MORE: The Full Text of President Samia’s Address at the Launch of the Commission of Inquiry
The decision comes three weeks after the European Union expressed that it was “very concerned” over the events surrounding Tanzania’s October 29, 2025, general elections.
The electoral period was marred by an unprecedented wave of youth-led protests across major cities—including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha—against systemic political exclusion, a lack of economic opportunity, and incidents of enforced disappearances of government critics.
Security forces responded with violence, resulting in reported fatalities and injuries, a six-day national lockdown, and a complete internet shutdown.
The EU’s prior statement had cited “reliable reports” of numerous fatalities and urged authorities to ensure the release of all detained politicians, along with swift, thorough investigations into all reported incidents of violence, abductions, and disappearances, noting the “lack of level playing field” in the run-up to the polls.
Despite the widespread condemnation, including reports from AU and SADC missions that described the elections as neither free nor fair, Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was declared the presidential winner with 97.6 per cent of the vote.
No automatic halt
The objection by the European Parliament committees is a powerful political statement, but it does not automatically halt the European Commission’s planned disbursement.
In the EU’s institutional framework, the European Commission is the executive arm, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties, and managing the Union’s day-to-day business, including development aid disbursement through instruments like NDICI-Global Europe.
The European Parliament is one of the two legislative branches, sharing budgetary and legislative power with the Council of the European Union.
Under the NDICI Regulation, the Commission’s decision to allocate funds is an implementing act.
The Parliament’s committees have a right of scrutiny and objection, but for the objection to formally halt the funding, it must be ratified by a majority of the full Parliament’s members (353 MEPs) within a two-month period.
If the full Parliament backs the objection, the Commission would then be required to review or withdraw its act.
This means that while the initial committee vote reflects serious political displeasure and raises the diplomatic stakes, the Commission is not yet legally prevented from moving forward.
However, such a strong signal from the Parliament makes proceeding with the funding politically difficult and could prompt the Commission to reconsider its position to avoid a major inter-institutional clash.
Commission of inquiry
The international pressure is clearly registering in Tanzania. On Thursday, for instance, President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched a special Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events of October 29.
READ MORE: Tanzania After October 29, 2025: Reclaiming the Island of Peace
The move, however, has been swiftly rejected by the country’s political opposition, who demand an international, independent inquiry, stating they have “no faith in any domestic commission.”
President Samia has also acknowledged the severity of the crisis herself earlier this week, noting the tangible damage to the country’s standing.
Speaking after swearing in her cabinet, she admitted that the instability had “reduced our credit standing and affected the way we used to access external funds,” describing the events as “a stain” that could prevent Tanzania from securing anticipated loans and grants.
The objection in Brussels underscores this reality, adding significant weight to the risk that international organisations may suspend their financial support, thereby compounding the challenges for President Samia’s government.
