MWE Correspondent
A document leaked online has sparked political tension in Tanzania, alleging that the United States is quietly backing opposition parties ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The report, titled “Mission – Tanzania 2025 Elections Action Plan,” claims that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has dedicated resources to expand political space and provide strategic support to opposition groups such as CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo, as part of its global democracy promotion agenda.
The plan also allegedly outlines preparations for U.S. election observation, civic education, and emergency response measures through an Embassy-led Election Working Group.
However, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam swiftly dismissed the document’s authenticity.
“We have determined that these documents are false and do not reflect U.S. Embassy policy regarding Tanzania’s elections,” read an official statement issued Friday.
Opposition leaders from CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo have so far declined public comment, saying they are carefully reviewing the leak. Meanwhile, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, through its Secretary for Ideology and Publicity Amos Makalla, confirmed that the party had received the document and is analyzing its contents.
William Lukuvi, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that he had not seen the document but would follow up to verify its legitimacy.
For his part, Ramadhan Kailima, Director of Elections at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), distanced the commission from the issue of foreign funding for political parties.
“INEC does not manage or monitor how parties fund themselves. That responsibility lies with the Registrar of Political Parties,” he said in a phone interview.
Attempts to reach Deputy Registrar Sisty Nyahoza were unsuccessful.
Still, Kailima confirmed that USAID is among international organizations granted permission to observe the ongoing voter registration process.
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“We opened applications for civic education and election observation permits on April 21. The deadline is May 20, 2025,” he noted.
As the story spreads, some civil society groups and analysts have dismissed the leak as politically motivated. One prominent Tanzanian analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that it could be a tactic aimed at weakening the credibility of opposition parties.
“This looks like a coordinated attempt to portray the opposition as externally manipulated,” the analyst said, indirectly pointing to CCM.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation has yet to issue any official comment, though inquiries remain ongoing.
The developments arrive as Tanzania prepares for what is expected to be one of its most contested elections in recent history. CHADEMA has demanded key reforms before participating, including an extended election timeline and the restructuring of the electoral commission to ensure fairness and independence.
Meanwhile, the government maintains that major reforms have already been implemented, citing the recent establishment of a restructured Independent Electoral Commission.
With just months to go, the leaked document adds to growing public interest—and concern—over the integrity of Tanzania’s democratic process. Observers say the controversy is likely to intensify in the run-up to the vote, further complicating the political climate as the nation heads into a high-stakes electoral season.
