Members of the European Parliament on the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee on Development (DEVE) rejected (by 81 votes to one, with four abstentions) a draft implementing decision by the European Commission on financing the annual action plan for Tanzania in 2026.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, 65, is determined to cement her position with an emphatic victory that will silence critics within her own party, analysts say. (Photo by Michael JAMSON / AFP)
As a result, MEPs approved an objection to the Commission draft, considering that it raised concerns requiring further political scrutiny for the East African nation. This objection will now be submitted to the full European Parliament at the next plenary session. Parliament had already asked the Commission to review its support for Tanzania at the end of 2025.
“Tanzania has seen serious democratic backsliding, political repression, and violations of fundamental rights. Yet, the revised plan contains no meaningful conditionality and no clear consequences if the situation continues to deteriorate,” said David McAllister, the chair of the Parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
If the European Parliament in its next plenary session accepts the decision of the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, then the EU will officially withdraw its €156m annual aid for Tanzania
Over 500 people died in a violent crackdown on protests after elections in the East African country in late October 2025.
In May, Tanzania ”postponed” a planned official visit by MEPs from the human rights subcommittee, provoking a furious response from Mounir Satouri, a leading Green MEP.
“We regret the lack of willingness by the Tanzanian authorities to engage in good-faith dialogue, especially against the backdrop of a deteriorating human rights situation and crackdowns on the democratic opposition,” said Satouri.
MEPs accuse the European Commission of handing over the money without human rights checks and balances.
