Monday 28 March 2016

Washington, D.C. — In December 2015, the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Board of Directors deferred a vote on the reselection of Tanzania for compact eligibility, citing the nullification of election results in Zanzibar and the need for a prompt, fair and peaceful conclusion of the electoral process. The Board also sought assurances from the Government of Tanzania that the Cybercrimes Act would not be used to limit freedom of expression and association, in light of arrests made during the elections. These concerns were repeated on a number of occasions, including in a statement of Ambassador Mark B. Childress.

On March 20, 2016, Tanzania moved forward with a new election in Zanzibar that was neither inclusive nor representative, despite the repeated concerns of the U.S. Government and the international community. The Government of Tanzania has also not taken measures to ensure freedom of expression and association are respected in the implementation of the Cybercrimes Act.

MCC’s model has a partner country’s commitment to democracy and free and fair elections at its core. The elections in Zanzibar and application of the Cybercrimes Act run counter to this commitment. As a result, while the United States and Tanzania continue to share many priorities, the MCC Board of Directors determined that the Government of Tanzania has engaged in a pattern of actions inconsistent with MCC’s eligibility criteria, and voted to suspend the agency’s partnership with the Government of Tanzania. MCC will therefore cease all activities related to the development of a second compact with Tanzania.

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