By K47 Digital News Desk
October 30, 2025 – Brussels / Dodoma
The European Parliament has issued a strong statement condemning the recently concluded general elections in Tanzania, declaring that the polls held on 29 October were “neither free nor fair.” In a powerful joint declaration, senior Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged all democratic partners across the world to stand firm in defense of democracy and human rights, warning that silence in the face of repression equates to complicity.
The statement, published on the European Parliament’s official website, paints a grim picture of the Tanzanian electoral process, accusing authorities of intimidation, censorship, and systematic dismantling of civic freedoms ahead of the vote.
“An Election Marred by Fear and Intimidation”
“As Tanzanians went to the polls today, the international community watched with deep concern. What should have been a celebration of democracy instead unfolded in an atmosphere of repression, intimidation, and fear,” the statement read.
The MEPs emphasized that the alleged electoral fraud in Tanzania did not begin on election day, but had been “unfolding for months” through government actions designed to suppress dissent and undermine democratic values.
According to the European Parliament’s press release, opposition leaders were harassed and arrested, their parties excluded from participation, and the country’s civic space “systematically dismantled.” The crackdown, they said, has eroded public confidence in the electoral process and represented a collapse of democratic values in Tanzania.
Tundu Lissu’s Arrest Sparks Global Outrage
The MEPs singled out the case of Tundu Lissu, the main opposition leader and a key challenger to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, whose arrest and trial for high treason were described as emblematic of Tanzania’s democratic decline.
“Lissu’s only ‘crime’ was to demand free and fair elections,” the MEPs said. “His arrest exemplifies the collapse of democratic values and judicial independence in Tanzania. Lissu must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
The European Parliament’s call adds to a growing international chorus urging Tanzanian authorities to drop all charges against Lissu and other opposition figures. Human rights organizations have also reported numerous cases of police brutality, media censorship, and restrictions on public gatherings leading up to the election.
Civic Space ‘Systematically Dismantled’
The European Parliament’s statement lamented what it described as the systematic dismantling of civic space in Tanzania. Opposition parties, civil society groups, and journalists were allegedly targeted in a campaign aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
“No election can be credible when the main opposition is silenced, when freedom of assembly and expression are denied, and when independent media are intimidated and censored,” the MEPs noted.
The press release also cited reports of irregularities, obstruction of observers, and targeted violence against critics of the government. These, the MEPs argued, have “further eroded the integrity of Tanzania’s electoral process.”
European Parliament Calls for Global Action
In their concluding remarks, the MEPs called on the international community to “stand firm in the defense of democracy and human rights”, warning that global silence in the face of electoral injustice would only embolden repressive regimes.
“We urge all democratic partners to stand firm in the defense of democracy and human rights. Silence is not neutrality—it is complicity,” the statement declared.
This powerful message underscores the European Union’s increasing willingness to confront electoral misconduct in Africa and beyond. It also reflects growing frustration among Western governments over what they view as Tanzania’s backsliding on democratic reforms since the late President John Magufuli’s tenure.
Statement Co-Signed by Key EU Leaders
The statement was co-signed by three influential members of the European Parliament:
- David McAllister (EPP, Germany), Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France), Chair of the Parliament’s Sub-Committee on Human Rights.
- Merja Kyllönen (The Left, Finland), Chair of the Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament.
Their joint position represents a unified front among Europe’s major political blocs—center-right, green, and left—reflecting a broad consensus within the EU on the need to defend democratic norms in Africa.
Global Reaction: Support from Human Rights Advocates
Following the release of the EU Parliament statement, several human rights advocates and international observers took to social media to thank the European lawmakers for speaking out.
One widely shared post read:
“Thank you @EUParl_EN, MEPs @DavidMcAllister, @MounirSatouri, and Merja Kyllönen for telling the world that what happened in Tanzania was not by any measure an election.”
This post echoed sentiments expressed by many Tanzanian activists and members of the diaspora who have long accused the government of suppressing political freedoms.
Tanzania’s Response Yet to Come
As of the time of writing, the Tanzanian government had not issued an official response to the European Parliament’s statement. However, political analysts predict that officials in Dodoma may dismiss the comments as foreign interference, a stance often adopted by the ruling CCM party when faced with international criticism.
Nonetheless, diplomatic observers believe the EU’s condemnation could influence future relations between Brussels and Dodoma, particularly in areas of aid, trade, and development cooperation.
Conclusion
The European Parliament’s forceful condemnation of Tanzania’s October elections marks a significant moment in international scrutiny of African electoral integrity. With MEPs insisting that “silence is complicity,” the statement sends a clear message to both the Tanzanian government and the global community: democracy must be defended, not dismantled.
