U.S. Embassy denies leaked USAID document on Tanzania’s 2025 elections

DAR ES SALAAM – A leaked document claiming to outline a covert USAID strategy to support Tanzanian opposition leaders ahead of the 2025 general elections has triggered a storm of controversy—drawing sharp denials from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam. The document, titled “Mission – Tanzania 2025 Elections Action Plan,” alleges that USAID, under the …

DAR ES SALAAM – A leaked document claiming to outline a covert USAID strategy to support Tanzanian opposition leaders ahead of the 2025 general elections has triggered a storm of controversy—drawing sharp denials from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

The document, titled “Mission – Tanzania 2025 Elections Action Plan,” alleges that USAID, under the banner of promoting democracy and governance, has allocated funds for political space and support to key opposition figures, including CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo’s leadership.

It also outlines coordination for U.S. election observation, civic education efforts, and potential crisis response planning through the Embassy-led Election Working Group.

But the U.S. Embassy has firmly dismissed the document’s authenticity.

“We have determined that these documents are false and do not reflect U.S. Embassy policy vis-à-vis the elections,” said a statement issued Friday.

Officials from CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo also declined to comment, stating they were reviewing the leaked document. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, through its Secretary for Ideology and Publicity, Amos Makalla, said it had received the report and was analyzing it.

William Lukuvi, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said he was not aware of the document but would follow up on its authenticity.

Reached for comment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Director of Elections Ramadhan Kailima distanced the Commission from any alleged external financing of political parties, clarifying that: “INEC does not oversee how political parties acquire their funding or operational resources—this falls under the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties,” he said in a phone interview. When contacted, Deputy Registrar of Political Parties,  Sisty Nyahoza was not available for comment.

However, Kailima confirmed that USAID is among the institutions granted permission to observe the ongoing voter registration process.

“We opened applications for civic education and observation permits on April 21, and the deadline is May 20, 2025,” Kailima said.

As reactions mount, some civil society activists have dismissed the leaked plan as fabricated and politically motivated. “This is a coordinated attempt to discredit the opposition,” said one prominent analyst who requested anonymity, pointing fingers at CCM. The ruling party has yet to issue an official position.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented, though efforts are ongoing to obtain its position on the matter.

The leak has stirred debate ahead of a tense electoral season. CHADEMA, Tanzania’s Main Opposition party has distanced itself from running in the forthcoming general election demand deadline extension and adequate reforms notably the electoral commission to facilitate what it called a free and fair election.

The government on the other hand has insisted that key reforms have been made including establishing an Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).