U.S. reviews bilateral relationship with Tanzania; condemns brutal attacks on citizens

U.S. authourities have announced a review of bilateral relationship with Tanzania, condemning pre, post election violence and President Samia Suluhu Hassan government’s continue clampdown on citizens.
A statement by U.S. Department of State on Thursday signed by the Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, announced the development.
“Recent actions by the Government of Tanzania, however, raise grave concerns about the direction of our bilateral relationship and the reliability of the Tanzanian Government as a partner,” the statement said.
It added, “As a result, the United States is comprehensively reviewing our relationship with the Government of Tanzania.”
Condemning pre and post election clampdown on citizens by Mrs Hassan-led government, U.S. Department of State said “The United States cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region. The future of our bilateral relationship with the Government of Tanzania will be based on its actions.”
It noted, “The Government of Tanzania’s ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, the presence of persistent obstacles to U.S. investment, and disturbing violence against civilians in the days leading up to and following Tanzania’s October 29 elections, required this reconsideration of our ties.”
This followed Mrs Hassan justification of brutal killings by police during election protests in October, accusing protesters of intending to overthrow her government on Tuesday.
Mrs Hassan, reschristened Indi Amin Mama, by protesters due to clampdown on protesters during October 29 election, also railed against the European Union parliament for voting to suspend aid to Tanzania over electoral violence.
The Tanzania’s bloody presidential election of October 29 won by Mrs Hassan, who polled 98 per cent of votes, has been under both local and international scrutiny.
A post election investigation by the CNN showed police fatally shooting protesters during Tanzania election, loads of corpses with gunshots injuries and signs of mass graves.
The CHADEMA opposition party, whose candidate, Tundu Lissu, was barred from the election, said about 700 people were killed during the election, vowing not to recognise Mrs Hassan as President.
The United Nations, African Union Election Observation Mission, the European Union, the Southern African Development Committee Electoral Observation, the UK, Canadian and Norwegian missions in Tanzania respectively condemned “large number of fatalities,” internet shutdown, disqualification of opposition candidates and brutal clampdown on protesters during the election.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 4
FG begins repayment of N185 billion gas legacy debt
He added that increased gas supply would also boost power generation.

States
Nasarawa holds summit to tackle challenges in basic education
He also stressed the need to reward hardworking teachers to improve standards in the sector.

NationWide
42,000 students, 600 centres benefit from first tranche of TVET payment
Since its commencement in May, the TVET initiative has rapidly moved from registration to practical training.

States
Police begin probe into abduction of APC chieftain in Ibadan
The victim was kidnapped while leaving his office.

Heading 3
We export huge quantities of whiskey, other products to Nigeria in exchange for crude oil, brilliant human resources: Ex-British PM Boris Johnson
The Imo Economic Summit, a two-day event, started on December 4 and will end on Friday.

Heading 1
FG urges new foreign-trained lab scientists to uphold ethics, shun quackery
He reminded the inductees that the trust patients and clinicians placed in them was a sacred responsibility.






