Senators Introduce Bill to Review U.S.-Tanzania Ties and Authorize Sanctions

U.S. relationship with Tanzania and authorize sanctions on certain officials. The bill would require Secretary of State Marco Rubio to submit a report within 90 days assessing democratic conditions, security assistance, and Tanzania's ties with China.

It would also direct the administration to identify officials responsible for abductions, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of opposition figures.

The legislation authorizes asset freezes and visa bans on identified individuals. U.S. development institutions until Tanzania meets benchmarks including the release of political prisoners and electoral reforms. Civil society and media reports cited in the bill state that Tanzanian police and defense forces killed hundreds of civilians during protests against the October election.

The electoral commission declared incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with about 98 percent of the vote.

The bill highlights the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, which it describes as politically motivated. Lissu has been imprisoned since April of last year, and his party was barred from contesting the election. Robert Amsterdam, Lissu's international legal counsel, told Semafor that a UN working group concluded Tanzania is breaking international law.

He warned officials complicit in the detention that they risk facing targeted sanctions.

U.S. administration on a review of bilateral cooperation and is committed to strengthening relations. A State Department spokesperson said the Trump administration encourages sovereign states to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms but does not seek to lecture other countries.

The bill also signals congressional frustration with the State Department's existing bilateral review of Tanzania, which staff described as insufficient.