European Parliament’s mission to Tanzania cancelled after authorities decline visit
Mounir Satouri, has just issued an official statement saying they strongly regret the Tanzanian authorities continued request to postpone the official visit by the European Parliament’s body responsible for global human rights
Black News 
The European Members of Parliament’s mission to Tanzania is reportedly being refused access to enter the country by the authorities in Dar.
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Mounir Satouri, has just issued an official statement saying they strongly regret the Tanzanian authorities continued request to postpone the official visit by the European Parliament’s body responsible for global human rights.
This approach, according to Satouri, in practice, amounts to a refusal.
The Tanzania Times tried to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification, but this also proved to be unsuccessful.
“This obstruction has serious consequences for the European Parliament’s ability to carry out its mandate,” said the published statement from Satouri.
“Being denied access prevents us from following up on our recent resolutions on Tanzania, conducting proper parliamentary scrutiny of EU-funded human rights projects, and engaging directly with key partners in the country.”
The key partners include the African Union’s major human rights institution, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“The European Parliament remains firmly committed to strengthening relations with African Union partners, including Tanzania.”
“However, such partnerships – particularly those involving the European Union financial support – must be firmly grounded in international law and aligned with shared human rights commitments under the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and EU Partnership Agreement.”
“In this context, 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.”
“We reiterate our readiness to engage constructively with the Tanzanian authorities and underline the importance of maintaining close cooperation with international and regional organizations based in the country, as well as with civil society groups and human rights defenders. They can count on our continued and unwavering support.”
Despite the current obstacles, our parliamentary body will pursue all available avenues to monitor developments closely in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Tanzania and assess their impact on the further development of relations with the EU.”
Background
The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament of 20 November 2025 authorised a mission of the subcommittee on human rights to Tanzania.
The visit would have focused on issues relating to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the subcommittee’s mandate.
Members of European Parliament (MEPs) intended to follow up on European Parliament resolutions relating to Tanzania adopted in November 2025, engage with the government, parliament, civil society actors and international stakeholders on human rights issues, visit the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, and monitor EU-funded projects in the field of human rights.
This mission was initially planned for February 2026
However, the Tanzanian authorities requested a postponement to a later date to allow time for the national commission of inquiry investigating the violence surrounding the elections on 29 October 2025 to complete its work.
The subcommittee on human rights agreed to reschedule the mission for the end of May.
The commission of inquiry meanwhile presented its findings on 24 April.
Without providing any specific justification, the Tanzanian authorities have now refused the visit of the subcommittee in May in its entirety, including the part of the visit relating to international and regional organisations and civil society.
