The United Republic of Tanzania is the second largest economy in the East African Community and the twelfth largest in Africa. The country is largely dependent on agriculture for employment, accounting for about half of the employed workforce. An estimated 34 percent of Tanzanians currently live in poverty. Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest economies in terms of per capita income, but has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth
However the county has still low income and human development indicators and 28% of Tanzanians continue to live in poverty. The EU supports Tanzania through developments cooperation to address key challenges such as food, and nutrition insecurity, low agriculture productivity, lack of energy access and a range of governance issues .they are also a beneficiary of EU development cooperation, mainly financed by the European Development Fund (EDF)
As Denmark announced the withholding of $9.86 million aid to Tanzania over its human-rights record, the European Union which recalled its ambassador stated it was reviewing its policies with Dar es Salaam. “The EU regrets the deterioration of the human rights and rule of law situation in the country (Tanzania) and will be conducting a broader review of its relations with Tanzania,
Ambassador was meeting his bosses at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, for consultations. Van de Geer left Tanzania on Saturday, November 3, 2018 after he was reportedly given an ultimatum to leave the country over unspecified reasons. The EU then issued a statement saying he had been “recalled to headquarters for consultations at political level over the situation in Tanzania.”
Tanzania’s foreign affairs minister Dr Augustine Mahiga confirmed from Arusha that the government did not expel Ambassador Van de Geer, insisting he had been recalled by his bosses after mutual discussions by both sides.
“He is back at the EU that perhaps has another job or other duties for him.He has been recalled and not expelled and it is normal to be recalled by his government.” Dr Mahiga said.Van de Geer’s deputy, Mr Charles Stuart, has been designated as the acting as Chargé d’Affaires in Tanzania
The EU said it was concerned generally about “a dark records in human-rights issues, including muzzling of media and political intolerance.” the EU said that over the past years, its member states “have noticed a shrinking of public space in Tanzania through the tightening of restrictions on the activities of civil society organizations, the media and many political parties.”
“This unprecedented attitude is not in line with the long established dialogue and consultation between the two parties, which the EU deeply regrets,” The EU is Tanzania’s main development partner and one of the country’s top trade and investment partners, according to the statement, which said that “structured political dialogue” with the government would resume after the review is completed.