The United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael Battle, said on Thursday that his country had no intention of retreating from its push for strict adherence to democratic rights and principles as a key aspect of its partnership with Dodoma.
This came after President Samia Suluhu Hassan earlier this week pointedly criticised the US Embassy for leading Western diplomats in Tanzania in condemning a wave of mysterious abductions and killings that has swept the country in the run-up to local elections in November.
President Samia warned other countries to desist from interfering in Tanzania’s domestic affairs and violating the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by trying to dictate how Dodoma should handle investigations into the trend of abductions, which has heightened security concerns across the country ahead of the upcoming civic elections.
Although she did not name any mission in particular, the President singled out two recently reported assassination attempts on US presidential candidate Donald Trump as “proof” that incidents of pre-election violence were also prevalent in the West.
But, addressing a democracy conference in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, Mr Battle acknowledged that the US was not “immune to challenges and imperfections” in maintaining democratic standards as it prepares for its own presidential election this year, but remained adamant that Washington’s support for Tanzania, which he said has so far resulted in about $7.5 billion in aid commitments over the years, would remain hinged on respect for democracy and human rights.
“As long as we remain Tanzania’s partner, we will always speak openly and honestly on these principles. We will not back away or hold back. It is an obligation fundamental and paramount to human dignity and human respect,” he said.
The US mission in Dar was the first to issue a formal statement denouncing the brazen abduction and brutal killing of opposition Chadema party official Ali Mohamed Kibao two weeks ago.
Read: Ally Kibao, abducted Tanzanian opposition leader found dead, acid poured on face
In its strongly worded statement on September 9, the embassy described the incident and other recent disappearances, detentions and beatings involving political and human rights activists in Tanzania as “efforts to disenfranchise citizens ahead of (the) elections,” and called for an “independent, transparent, and prompt investigation.”
The European Union, the British and Canadian High Commissions, and Norway and Switzerland embassies followed up with a joint statement on September 10, calling for a “thorough inquiry.”
President Samia responded on September 17 in a televised speech insisting that such interventions by the diplomatic corps were not welcome and that no “outsiders” should claim to be more pained by the events than Tanzanians themselves.
“It is our own responsibility to find out why they are happening at this moment in time. We know what we need to do as a sovereign nation and do not appreciate other countries telling us to do one, two, three,” the President asserted.
Read: Tanzania abductions: Samia tells foreign envoys to keep off probe
She also questioned whether the statements had been sanctioned by the heads of State of those countries, stating: “I have my own ways of checking with my fellow presidents and will lodge formal complaints with them once I confirm that they, indeed, were.”
Representatives of the British, Canadian, Norway and Switzerland missions, who were part of the joint EU-led statement, were also present at Thursday’s forum in Dar es Salaam hosted by the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), alongside the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and South Africa.
The event, marking the International Day of Democracy, saw the launch of TCD’s first assessment report on the state of democracy in Tanzania, which the centre says will be published annually.
The recent upsurge in politically-linked violence has cast a long shadow over the November 28 local government elections, which are expected to provide the template for next year’s general election, in which President Samia will defend her incumbency and the ruling CCM party its majority legislative control until 2030.
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
President Samia takes on Tanzania’s web of corruption
The President takes on the web of corruption in the Tanzanian government and quasi-government institutions flagged by the newest report by Controller & Auditor-General Charles Kichere. Continue Reading
For years, a UK mining giant was untouchable in Zambia for pollution until a former miner’s son took them on
For years, the people in the villages around Chingola in Zambia endured frequent health challenges and dead fish floating around in their water source, but that was just the beginning of their nightmare.Continue Reading
Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
