On Sunday 2 November, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, expressed the European Union’s deep concern at the violence reported during the presidential election on 29 October and in the run-up to the vote. The EU deplores the loss of human life, serious injuries and restrictions on freedom of expression, in particular by shutting down the internet.
“Reliable reports of large number of fatalities and significant injuries are of extreme concern. The EU urges authorities to exercise maximum restraint to preserve human lives”, Ms Kallas said in a statement on Sunday on behalf of the Union. The following day, AFP reported that several hundred people had died, according to the opposition to the outgoing president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was re-elected with almost 98% of the vote.
The EU “takes note” of the proclamation of the results announced. Recalling the principles that bind Tanzania to the EU through the Samoa Agreement, the Union encourages the government to achieve democratic stability.
On 24 October, the parties to the Samoa Agreement reaffirmed their commitment to the democratic principles proclaimed by the UN (see EUROPE 13738/7). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)