Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the recent crackdown on opposition by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi government in Tanzania; the implications this has for Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62519/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent election in Tanzania (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62663/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 167 together.

The Government is very concerned at the violence and deaths in Tanzania following the Presidential and parliamentary elections held on 28 and 29 October. For several days after the elections, demonstrations took place in major cities leading to outbreaks of violence, destruction of property and road closures. There are credible reports that over 1,000 people were killed following a brutal response by the security forces.

The narrowing of political space in the run-up to the elections, including the arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and reported human rights abuses are a matter of serious concern. We note the preliminary statements of the South African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union electoral observer missions which express concern on the conduct of the elections.

We strongly support the statement by the EU High Representative expressing concern at these events, including the lack of a level playing field in the pre-election period. Along with other EU Member States, Ireland expects swift investigation and resolution of all cases of arrest. All reported incidents of violence, disappearances, abductions and deaths should be thoroughly and swiftly investigated. Ireland underlines the need for reconciliation and national dialogue to address the division in the country.

The Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with the EU and other like-minded Embassies. The Embassy has attend the court hearings of Tundu Lissu’s case and, in advance of the election, Ireland also joined other EU Member States and the Head of the EU Delegation in a meeting with the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. We expressed our deep concerns about the shrinking democratic space and human rights abuses, in particular reported incidents of abductions, disappearances, and even deaths.

During the election itself, officials from our Embassy participated in a Diplomatic Watch observation mission, along with EU and like-minded missions.

In line with Ireland’s international development policy A Better World and the Government’s strategy for Africa, Ireland’s development cooperation programme in Tanzania focuses on helping the furthest behind first. Ireland’s work in Tanzania is grounded in decades of development assistance, people to people links and cultural and political exchange. Our approach includes an emphasis on human rights, governance, health and nutrition and sustainable livelihoods. Ireland will continue to work along with EU and like-minded partners to strengthen governance while fulfilling our commitment to helping those furthest behind.