UAE Armoured Vehicle Deal with Tanzania Signed 30 Days Before an Estimated 10,000 Civilians Were Killed
Ujasusi Blog’s East Africa Monitoring Team | 13 December 2026 | 0030 GMT
IN BRIEF
On 29 September 2025, Tanzania’s government signed a defence manufacturing agreement with Streit Group FZ-LLC (UAE-based armoured vehicle manufacturer) exactly 30 days before disputed elections where, according to ICC submission by Dr Paula Cristina Roque, 5,000-10,000 civilians were killed by security forces. The agreement grants manufacturing rights for military vehicles, riot control equipment, and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles at Tanzania’s state-owned facility.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This assessment presents publicly documented facts from credible sources including US Commerce Department records, UN Security Council reports, and verified international media investigations. All claims are attributed to documented sources. This raises questions of public interest regarding defence procurement and human rights implications. No allegations of criminal conduct are made; analysis presents areas warranting investigation by appropriate authorities.
What is the Streit Group-Tanzania armoured vehicle manufacturing agreement?
Agreement Structure (per official reporting):
Date Executed: 29 September 2025
Location: Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre (TATC), Nyumbu, Kibaha
Contracting Parties:
Streit Group FZ-LLC (United Arab Emirates)
Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre (government-owned entity)
Scope: Manufacturing, repair, sale of armoured vehicles
Product Categories:
Military tactical vehicles
Institutional security vehicles
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs)
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs)
Riot control vehicles (per company product portfolio)
Strategic Positioning: Described as “first of its kind in Africa”
Negotiation Timeline: Discussions began 2022 (per Defence Minister Stergomena Tax statement)
Regional Scope: Tanzania positioned as distribution hub for East and Central Africa
Officiating Government Officials:
Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Defence and National Service
Lieutenant General (Rtd) Wyajonea Mathew Kisamba, TATC Board Chairman
General Jacob John Mkunda, Chief of Defence Forces
What happened 30 days after the agreement was signed?
Timeline of Post-Election Events (29 October 2025):
Election Results (widely reported):
President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared winner: 97.66% of vote
Turnout: 33 million (total voting-age population: 35 million)
Main opposition parties barred from participating
CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu imprisoned on treason charges since April 2025
Post-Election Killings (documented by multiple sources):
According to ICC submission by Dr Paula Cristina Roque, Director of Intelwatch:
Death Toll: 5,000-10,000 civilians killed
Pattern: Systematic execution-style killings showing “strategic planning”
Purpose: Documentation for ICC prosecution of crimes against humanity
Opposition party CHADEMA documentation:
2,000+ killed (network of members counting bodies at hospitals)
Hundreds missing, feared dead
Mass graves documented
UN Human Rights Office findings:
Hundreds killed with live ammunition
Security forces transported bodies to undisclosed locations
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for investigations
Methods Documented (CNN investigation, Reuters reporting):
Protesters shot in the back whilst fleeing
Targeted headshots documented across multiple cities
Mass shootings in non-protest areas (Mjimwema neighbourhood, Mwanza: 15+ killed at café)
Night raids with indiscriminate shooting
Bodies removed by security forces immediately after killings
Government Response:
Nationwide internet shutdown (documentation prevention)
Police barred sharing photos/videos showing casualties
No official death toll released
President Samia defended security forces, claimed attempted coup
What is Streit Group’s documented regulatory history?
US Commerce Department Enforcement (Order E2435, September 2015):
Settlement terms documented in public record:
Total Penalties: US$3.5 million imposed on Streit Group entities
Violations Found: Illegal exports of armoured vehicles to multiple countries (2008-2009)
Countries Involved: UAE, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore
Regulatory Breach: Export Administration Regulations violations (national security grounds)
Corporate Penalties:
Streit USA Armouring LLC
Streit Group FZ-LLC (UAE)
Streit Middle East FZCO (UAE)
Individual Penalty: Company CEO fined US$250,000 (public record)
Probation Terms: Three-year suspended Denial Order, mandatory audits
UN Security Council Findings (publicly available Panel of Experts reports):
Sudan Arms Embargo (UN reports):
30 Streit Typhoon armoured vehicles exported 2012
UN determined transfer violated arms embargo
Vehicles documented in Darfur conflict zone (Nyala)
Found in South Kordofan used by security forces
Libya Arms Embargo (UN documentation, 2012):
Streit vehicles exported during civil war
Transfer occurred without required sanctions committee notification
Vehicles found operational in embattled areas 2012-2014
CBC investigation documented vehicles retrofitted with large-calibre weaponry
South Sudan (UN Panel reports, 2014):
173 Streit armoured vehicles acquired by military
Transaction identified as embargo violation
Businessman with presidential connections involved
What riot control capabilities does Streit Group manufacture?
Riot Control Product Portfolio (per company specifications):
Predator Riot Control Vehicle:
Platform: 4x4 armoured vehicle
Primary System: Pressurized water cannon (remote-operated)
Additional Features:
Protective grilles for urban operations
Video surveillance with recording capability
Chemical additive tanks
Reinforced armour panels
Design Focus: “Maneuverability in urban environments” and “rapid deployment”
Riot Control Fleet Capabilities (documented specifications):
High-pressure water cannon systems (variable nozzle pressure)
Tear gas deployment systems
Rubber bullet deployment capability
360-degree surveillance systems
Non-lethal suppression technology
Urban terrain optimization
Tanzania Deal Scope:
Initial Phase: Military vehicles
Planned Expansion: “Institutional vehicles” (per Minister Tax statement)
Future Phase: Regional export capability within East African market
How extensive is UAE engagement in Tanzania under President Samia?
Defence Cooperation Timeline:
February 2025 (official announcement):
UAE donated CN235M medium-range transport aircraft
Previously operated by UAE Air Force (decommissioned June 2019)
Minister Tax: Reflects “commitment under President Samia to strengthening national defence”
May 2025 (government statement):
UAE Deputy PM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan state visit
President Samia received “Mother of the Nation Order” from UAE President
Multiple bilateral cooperation agreements signed
September 2025:
Streit Group armoured vehicle manufacturing agreement
Economic Infrastructure Control:
Port Operations (corporate disclosures):
2023: DP World (UAE) secured 30-year lease, US$250 million
Control: Two-thirds of Dar es Salaam Port operations
2024: East Africa Gateway (UAE-Adani joint venture) acquired 95% shares in Tanzania International Terminal Services Limited
Investment Totals (Africa Centre for Strategic Studies):
Approximately US$740 million UAE investment in Tanzania
Sectors: Infrastructure, energy, agriculture, mining
Pending: GSG Energies (UAE) US$500 million mining sector investment
What questions does the timing raise?
