Uzima Tele
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- Jan 20, 2023
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🚨 TANZANIA: U.S. BUSINESS LEADER WITHDRAWS FROM AMERICAN CHAMBER IN TANZANIA AMID ESCALATING HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS AND NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and Tanzania, prominent American entrepreneur @MichaelCoudrey, Chairman & CEO of Pharos Investment Group, has withdrawn his organization's membership from the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania (@AmChamTZ).
The move follows Tanzania's deteriorating human rights situation, marked by widespread reports of post-election violence, including the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians during protests against the disputed October 29, 2025, elections.
Coudrey's statement, posted on X on December 23, 2025, directly accuses AmChamTZ leadership of opposing President Trump's America-first policies:
“.....We are hereby withdrawing our membership from @AmChamTZ. Under their current leadership, they are directly opposing and attacking the President of the United States, his leadership, and America-first policies—which is not unacceptable to us..."
"...When the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania starts behaving like a liberal America-last advocacy group, it’s time to pull the plug...."
"... I encourage all US commercial interests, diplomats, and Embassy staff to remove their affiliations with such a group acting in direct opposition of the President of the United States until further notice......”
This development coincides with President Trump's December 16, 2025, proclamation expanding U.S. travel restrictions, adding Tanzania to a list of 15 countries facing partial visa suspensions.
The backdrop includes severe human rights abuses under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government following her re-election with 97.66% of the vote in elections criticized by observers as falling short of democratic standards.
President Hassan has defended the crackdown while spreading propaganda accusing foreign powers, including the U.S., of sponsoring diaspora activists who amplified Tanzanians' voices against electoral fraud and repression.
Coudrey's action signals growing U.S. private sector backlash, urging alignment with America-first principles over entities perceived as enabling anti-American agendas abroad.
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