Dar es Salaam – A diplomatic rift between the European Union and Tanzania escalated this week, with the European Parliament passing a resolution on November 26, 2025, that strongly condemned the country’s “post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation.”
The Tanzanian government vehemently rejected the motion a day earlier as an infringement on its sovereignty. The resolution urges the EU Council to consider targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for what it termed the “excessive use of force” by security forces following the October 29 elections.
The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu, the national chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA.
The Tanzanian Embassy in Brussels pre-emptively issued a letter on November 25, 2025, expressing “grave concern” over the motion and stating the move was a “matter of such gravity touching directly on the sovereignty and reputation” of Tanzania.
READ MORE: Luanda Summit Sets New Priorities for Africa–EU Cooperation
The Embassy stressed that proceeding with the motion was inconsistent with the Samoa Agreement, which prioritises dialogue, and protested that Tanzania was “not invited to provide factual clarification” to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).
Branding the motion as being based on “unverified reports and one-sided narratives,” the Embassy formally requested the plenary session be rescheduled to ensure a balanced view, citing its established National Commission of Enquiry to investigate recent incidents.
Conflicting views extend to the violence itself. The European Parliament resolution denounces the “widespread protests and a violent crackdown” by security forces.
However, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba challenged the narrative on November 25 by branding the post-election unrest as “economic sabotage” rather than a protest and publicly disputing the reported death toll figures.
The resolution’s demand for the release of Tundu Lissu comes as the CHADEMA leader’s high-profile treason trial continues to face major legal hurdles.
Mr Lissu, who was arrested on April 9, 2025, is facing a potential death penalty, and his case was recently paralysed by a legal challenge to the prosecution’s attempt to use a fully concealed “secret witness,” which the defence argued violates the core principles of a fair trial and effective cross-examination.
The diplomatic friction follows previous financial pressure from the EU. On November 20, EU Parliament committees objected to a proposed allocation of €156 million in funding for Tanzania, citing concerns over the nation’s democratic backsliding and shrinking civic space.
The European Parliament resolution calls on the government to cease all crackdowns, lift internet and media restrictions, and engage in an inclusive political dialogue.
2 responses
The EU condemn Tanzania for upholding its rights. Would you do the same to Israel for destroying others rights??
Does Israel depend on the EU as much as Tanzania does?