EU delegates denied access to Tanzania amid election abuse allegations
Tanzania has denied entry to a European Parliament delegation investigating alleged election violence and human rights abuses linked to the country’s 2025 general elections.
Black News 
Tanzania has denied entry to a European Parliament delegation investigating alleged election violence and human rights abuses linked to the country’s 2025 general elections.
- Tanzania has denied entry to a EU Parliament delegation investigating alleged election violence and human rights abuses during the 2025 general elections.
- The government blocked the delegation after repeated postponements and delays, citing a need to finish its own internal inquiry into election-related violence.
- Despite the completion of Tanzania's national investigation in April 2026, authorities have not confirmed dates for the rescheduled European visit.
- Besides probing rights abuses and election irregularities, the EU mission aimed to audit EU-funded projects and meet with civil groups and legal bodies including the African Court.
Following allegations of violence against protesters, human rights abuses, and election irregularities during Tanzania's general elections on October 29, 2025, the European Parliament dispatched delegates to investigate.
However, a recent report reveals that Tanzanian authorities have blocked these delegates, denying them entry into the country.
The European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights approved the mission in November 2025. Since then, the mission has faced several setbacks.
In February 2026, Tanzanian authorities requested that the visit initially scheduled for earlier that month be postponed. The reason provided was that the nation needed to complete its own internal investigation into election-related violence.
On April 24, 2026, the Tanzanian national inquiry concluded and published its results. Following this, the European Parliament rescheduled the visit for late May 2026; however, authorities have failed to confirm the dates, effectively preventing the delegates from visiting the East African nation.
Mission Objectives and Possible Diplomatic Fallout
Beyond investigating human rights violations and election irregularities, the delegates were tasked with auditing EU-funded projects to ensure they meet required standards.
The subcommittee also planned to meet with key stakeholders, civil organizations, and legal entities, such as the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights located in Arusha.
Mounir Satouri, a French politician and Chairman of the Subcommittee, expressed deep concern over the attitude of the Tanzanian authorities. He stated that the continuous delays and postponements are a clear sign of a "refusal" to cooperate.
Despite their disappointment, the European Parliament maintains that it remains open to dialogue.
In the meantime, Satouri confirmed that the subcommittee will use all available methods to monitor the rule of law in Tanzania while actively evaluating the future of their diplomatic relationship with the country.
Victor Awogbemila
