On the draft Commission implementing decision on the financing of the annual action plan in favour of the United Republic of Tanzania for 2025

B100505/2025

European Parliament resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision on the financing of the annual action plan in favour of the United Republic of Tanzania for 2025

(D110180/02 – 2025/2979(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision on the financing of the annual action plan in favour of the United Republic of Tanzania for 2025 (D110180/02),

– having regard to Regulation 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/20091 (NDICI-Global Europe Regulation),

– having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision (D110180/02) on the financing of the annual action plan in favour of the United Republic of Tanzania for 2025, hereinafter referred to as the AAP,

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 8 May 2025 on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania,

– having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development,

A. whereas on 22 October, the AAP was presented to the NDICI Committee;

B. whereas the AAP demonstrates a misguided approach by the Commission, which does not fully reflect the democratic and human rights deficiencies in Tanzania over the past years, particularly since the fraudulent elections in October 2025, in the aftermath of which the government crushed demonstrations leading to the death of well over 400 people, and hundreds of people have been charged with treason;

C. whereas the African Union’s election observation mission has strongly criticised the conduct of the Tanzanian presidential election, which saw the incumbent President elected with an apparent 98% of the vote; whereas the Tanzanian government, contrary to elections in 2015, did not invite a European Election Observation Mission;

D. whereas the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the European Union, expressed serious concern regarding post-electoral violence in Tanzania and noted that “the lack of a level playing field in the run-up to the elections was marked by reports of abductions and disappearances and violence limiting the civic and democratic space”;

E. whereas Tundu Lissu, leader of Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party, was arrested on 9 April 2025 and later charged with treason, along with three offences of publication of false information under cybercrime laws; whereas treason in Tanzania carries a potential death sentence; whereas the EU is unequivocally opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances; whereas shortly after Lissu’s arrest, Chadema was disqualified from the October 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections, based on the party’s refusal to sign an electoral code of conduct, the candidate of the second largest opposition party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), Luhaga Mpina, was also disqualified from running;

F. whereas the Tanzanian government has not fulfilled any of the demands that the European Parliament put forward in its resolution of 8 May, including among others the call for immediately and unconditionally releasing Mr. Lissu, for implementing a judicial reform, for improving the human rights situation and for putting forward an electoral reform;

G. whereas Tanzania’s backsliding in its commitment to promote shared values, principles and interests, in particular as regards human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and open civic space, as well as its escalating crackdown, arbitrary arrests, violence, attacks and harassment against opposition members, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples, LGBTIQ+ activists, journalists and civil society organisations, is inconsistent with the programming principles for geographic programmes under the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation; whereas the post-electoral crisis in Tanzania constitutes an immediate threat to democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms in the country; whereas any planning and programming decisions not taking those aspects into account render implementing acts decided under such circumstances void;

H. whereas the EU significantly supports Tanzania’s digital transformation - through investments in 4G and fibre-optic infrastructure, e-governance, digital skills, and private-sector development - aimed at expanding access to information and fostering an open digital economy; whereas, however, the Tanzanian authorities have acted in contradiction to these goals by imposing internet shutdowns both in the run-up to the elections and again amid the post-election unrest, measures that undermined democratic participation and risked misusing EU-supported digital infrastructure;

1. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision (D110180/02) exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2021/947;

2. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision (D110180/02) is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 2021/947;

3. Welcomes the fact that the Commission suspended the process of adoption of the draft implementing decision upon being informed of the concerns by the European Parliament;

4. Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision (D110180/02) and to submit a new proposal that respects the concerns raised, while ensuring that any new changes do not adversely affect funding directed to support NGOs and civil society;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.