Tanzania: Elections

(asked on 7th December 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the outcome of the general election in Tanzania, and (2) reports that opposition communications were censored during that election using UK companies.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 21st December 2020

The Minister for Africa issued a statement on 1 November setting out our concerns over widespread allegations of interference during the Tanzanian elections on 28 October, and urging a transparent investigation by the electoral authorities. In the run up to elections we were troubled by reports of violence and heavy-handed policing, including the arrest of opposition political leaders. Our High Commissioner raised our concerns with the Tanzanian Foreign Minister on 26 October.

We are also concerned about reported restrictions to communications, including the internet and social media. We are aware of a directive issued by the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority requiring the temporary suspension of bulk short messaging and bulk voice calling services. The High Commissioner to Tanzania raised our concerns around increasing restrictions on media freedom with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 22 September. A free media is vital to ensure credible, transparent democratic processes that are key to Tanzania's future stability and prosperity.

The UK welcomes recent steps taken towards forming a Government of National Unity on Zanzibar, and encourages all parties to commit to genuine and transparent change.

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