United States Ambassador to Tanzania

Ambassador of the United States to Tanzania
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Mark Childress since May 22, 2014
Nominator	Barack Obama
Inaugural holder	William Leonhart as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Formation	August 22, 1962
Website	U.S. Embassy - Dar es Salaam

The country that is now Tanzania comprises the former countries of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Tanganyika achieved independence from the United Kingdom in December 1961.

The United States immediately recognized the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations. An embassy in Dar es Salaam was established on December 9, 1961—independence day for Tanganyika. William R. Duggan was appointed as chargé d'affaires ad interim pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, William Leonhart was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary on August 22, 1962, and presented his credentials to the government on October 3, 1962.

Zanzibar received its independence from the United Kingdom on December 19, 1963, as a constitutional monarchy under the sultan. The U.S. established an embassy in Zanzibar on December 10, 1963, with Frederick P. Picard III as chargé d'affaires ad interim.

On April 26, 1964, Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The country was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania on October 29, 1964.

An ambassador to Zanzibar had not yet been appointed when that country was united with the Tanganyika. Frank C. Carlucci III was serving as chargé d'affaires ad interim in Zanzibar when the embassy was downgraded to a U.S. consulate on June 27, 1964. Ambassador Leonhart in Dar es Salaam continued to serve as the ambassador to Tanzania.

U.S. diplomatic terms