The UN is deeply concerned about the state’s killing and jailing of protestors in Tanzania. Many are still missing. Following febrile national elections on 29 October, president Samia Suluhu returned to power.

UN human rights lead Turker Volk said:

I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing, and to hand over the bodies of those killed to their loved ones so that they can be given dignified burials.

He continued:

There are also disturbing reports that security forces have been seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.

One X user said the UAE’s influence was apparent:

Breaking: Over 700 Tanzanians killed by the UAE-backed regime in Tanzania. Another reason to expel the client state of UAE from the region and all of Africa.

The UAE’s role in Tanzania reflects a new form of economic, social, and political imperialism. Through vast… pic.twitter.com/47Vi9RfcEY

— Mohamed Olad (@InaOlad) November 10, 2025

UAE and Tanzania carbon deal

In December 2024, UAE and Tanzania signed a major cooperation deal to asses “the current state of bilateral relations, explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation.”

The partners discussed:

a broad range of shared interests, and exchanged views on regional and political developments of mutual concern.

The two countries then pledged to:

strengthen across multiple areas, including flourishing trade ties, collaborative efforts in addressing climate change, and the exploration of new opportunities for commercial investments.

But what does that mean beyond diplomatic jargon? Well, even ahead of that summit the UAE had been deepening ties in Africa.

In November 2023, Blue Carbon, a UAE firm, signed land deals across Africa – including with Tanzania. The deal will help the oil-producing gulf theocracy offset its carbon footprint.

And also in 2023, the UAE signed a deal with Tanzania to buy out two thirds of Dar es Salaam port. It was a move which led to accusations that the Tanzanian government – Suluhu’s government – was selling off the country’s sovereignty. The firm leading the bid was UAE’s DP World. And, the deal was signed off by now president Samia Suluhu.

As the BBC reported:

The UAE is the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the US. In the last decade, it has invested nearly $60bn in infrastructure and energy sectors across the continent.

DP World – established in 1999 and owned by Emirati ruling families – has increased those inroads with port operations in Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal and Somalia.

Sudan genocide

The UAE isn’t just buying up land in Africa. It’s also backing a genocidal war in Sudan. Last month the Rapid Support Forces – backed by UAE and linked to Israel – took over the city of El Fasher. Reports of mass killing immediately started to come in.

British, Canadian and French weapons are reportedly in the hands of the RSF. The UAE is a major buyer of UK military equipment and has a range of interests in the country. Interests it seems to be willing to back mass killing in order to pursue.

In May 2025, the UAE awarded Suluhu a special honour for strengthening prosperity. Last week, at an inauguration the public were barred from, she was sworn in. UAE state media was quick to congratulate Suluhu on her election win.

Featured image via the Canary

By Joe Glenton

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