Tanzania has refused entry to a delegation from the European Parliament that was expected to investigate claims of election-related violence and human rights violations connected to the country’s 2025 general elections.
The delegation was sent after reports emerged of attacks on protesters, alleged human rights abuses and irregularities during Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 elections.
Recent reports indicate that Tanzanian officials prevented the European representatives from entering the country.
The mission had been approved by the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights in November 2025, but several obstacles have delayed the visit since then.
Authorities in Tanzania requested in February 2026 that the trip, which had originally been planned for that month, be postponed while the country completed its own investigations into election-related incidents.
On April 24, 2026, the national inquiry released its findings after concluding investigations into the reported violence. Following this development, the European Parliament planned to reschedule the mission for late May 2026, but Tanzanian authorities reportedly did not confirm the proposed dates, effectively blocking the visit.
Aside from probing allegations of electoral malpractice and human rights concerns, the delegation was also expected to assess projects funded by the European Union to ensure they complied with required standards.
The committee further intended to engage with major stakeholders, civil society groups and legal institutions, including the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Mounir Satouri, who chairs the subcommittee, criticised the conduct of Tanzanian authorities, saying the repeated delays and postponements reflected a lack of willingness to cooperate.
Despite the setbacks, the European Parliament says it remains willing to continue discussions with Tanzania.
Satouri also noted that the subcommittee would continue monitoring the rule of law situation in Tanzania through other available means while reviewing the future of diplomatic relations between both sides.