Tanzania Turns to Washington Lobbyists as Post-Election Crisis Deepens

Tanzania is quietly seeking a Washington lobbyist as it tries to contain the international fallout from violent post-election unrest, according to a scoop from a news website, Semafor, that underscores how seriously Dar es Salaam views mounting pressure from the United States (US). 

The effort comes after weeks of protests following elections held at the end of October, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote. Leading opposition candidates were excluded from the race, triggering demonstrations that were met with a heavy security response. The United Nations (UN) says hundreds of protesters have been killed or detained. The government has acknowledged fatalities but has not released an official death toll. 

According to Semafor, Tanzania’s request for proposals from US lobbyists has been circulating in Washington over the past week. Officials want help “shaping the narrative” on Capitol Hill and in the US media as criticism intensifies over alleged human rights abuses, religious repression, and the conduct of the election itself. 

Earlier this month, the US State Department said it was reviewing its relationship with Tanzania, citing concerns over religious freedom, free speech, obstacles to US investment, and violence against civilians. Days later, Senator Jim Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the government had offered “no credible explanation” for what he described as an election-related crackdown. He also alleged that Christian leaders were targeted in attacks and abductions. 

The Tanzanian government disputes the allegations. It says police did not use excessive force and has accused protesters of attempting to overthrow the state. President Hassan has appointed a commission to investigate election-related violence, while repeatedly denying wrongdoing by security forces. 

External reporting has only deepened concern. UN human rights experts say they have received reports that the remains of those killed were buried in unidentified mass graves or incinerated after disappearing from mortuaries. The experts have called on the government to account for the missing and ensure families receive information about the fate of their relatives. 

Tanzania has not had a full-time Washington lobbyist in over a decade. While it retains diplomatic ties and a solid investment relationship with the US, Nigeria’s designation as a “country of particular concern” over Christian persecution shows how quickly such accusations can translate into policy. Tanzania is clearly paying attention.