By The Respondent Reporter
The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam has firmly denied the claims over a leaked document said to reveal a secret plan by USAID to support Tanzanian opposition leaders ahead of the 2025 general elections has sparked strong reactions.
The document, titled “Mission – Tanzania 2025 Elections Action Plan”, alleges that USAID is funding efforts to promote democracy by supporting political space and backing key opposition leaders, particularly from CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo.
It also outlines plans for U.S. involvement in election observation, civic education, and possible crisis response, led by the Embassy’s Election Working Group.
However, the U.S. Embassy dismissed the claims, saying the document is fake.
“These documents are false and do not reflect U.S. Embassy policy vis-à-vis the elections,” the Embassy said in a statement released on Friday.
Opposition parties CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo declined to comment, saying they were still reviewing the document.
The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), confirmed it had received the report and was analyzing it. This was stated by Amos Makalla, CCM’s Secretary for Ideology and Publicity.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, William Lukuvi, said he had not seen the document but promised to follow up on its authenticity.
Ramadhan Kailima, Director of Elections at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the Commission has no role in monitoring how political parties are funded.
“That responsibility lies with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties,” he said in a phone interview.
Efforts to reach Deputy Registrar Sisty Nyahoza for comment were not successful.
Kailima confirmed that USAID is among the organizations allowed to observe the ongoing voter registration process.
“We opened applications for civic education and observation permits on April 21. The deadline is May 20, 2025,” he said.
Some civil society activists believe the leaked document is fake and politically motivated.
“This is a coordinated effort to damage the opposition,” said one political analyst, speaking anonymously.
He suggested that the ruling party may be behind the leak, although CCM has yet to issue an official statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented, but efforts are ongoing to obtain its position.
The leak comes as Tanzania prepares for a tense election season. CHADEMA, the main opposition party, has raised concerns about the upcoming polls. It has called for a deadline extension and major reforms, including changes to the electoral commission, to ensure what it calls a free and fair election.
The government, on the other hand, insists that it has already made key reforms, including the creation of an Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
Source: Daily News & Press statement from US. Embassy