Beyond Borders: The Interplay of Foreign Policy and Political Settlement in Tanzania

This paper contributes to the evolving discourse on political settlements (PS) by examining the political dynamics of Tanzania, particularly in the context of its foreign policy. The concept of a political settlement, widely discussed in contemporary literature, explores how the distribution of power influences policy-making in various sectors. Previous studies have emphasized the domestic aspects of political settlements in African countries, acknowledging, albeit minimally, the influence of international actors such as international capital and organizations (Hickey 2013, Gray 2019). However, there is a gap in comprehensively understanding the interplay between domestic political settlements and international dimensions, as well as whether different types of political settlements offer varied avenues for external actors to engage with African states. Addressing this gap, our study focuses on the recent transformations in Tanzania's political settlement, with an emphasis on the international perspective. Through extensive fieldwork and interviews conducted in Tanzania, this paper traces the shifts in the political settlement from the late President Magufuli to his successor, Samia Suluhu Hassan. Our analysis highlights the reciprocal relationship between internal political settlements and external influences. It explores how international actors shape Tanzania’s political settlement and, conversely, how changes in the settlement respond to and influence the international arena. The paper aims not only to enhance understanding of the specific case of Tanzania but also to contribute to the broader discourse on the role of foreign policy in shaping political settlements in African states. This study thus offers novel insights into the dynamics of political power and policy effectiveness in the context of evolving international relations.