AU Says Tanzania Election Fell Short of Democratic Standards; Calls for Probes After Deadly Unrest

African Union finds Tanzania vote did not meet democratic standards

The African Union (AU) has concluded that Tanzania’s October 29 election failed to comply with AU principles and international standards for democratic elections, intensifying international scrutiny of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government following deadly post‑vote unrest.

The AU’s election observation mission, which deployed 72 observers to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, pointed to multiple problems that “compromised election integrity,” including reports of ballot‑stuffing, a government‑imposed internet blackout, allegations of excessive use of military force, and politically motivated abductions.

“The election did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections,” the AU mission said, adding that the environment was “not conducive to peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes.”

After the vote, large protests erupted in Dar es Salaam and other cities. Demonstrators faced police action, tear gas and restricted internet access. The main opposition party, Chadema, has claimed that hundreds were killed in the unrest — a figure the government has rejected. Videos reviewed by Al Jazeera reportedly show numerous bodies, people shot in the head, injured protesters and security forces firing in the streets.

The AU mission urged Tanzanian authorities to exercise restraint and to conduct thorough, transparent investigations into alleged violence against protesters and other reported abuses. Its report recommended that Tanzania prioritise electoral and political reforms to address the root causes of the challenges witnessed before, during and after the 2025 General Elections.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) issued a similar rebuke, documenting incidents of violence, censorship and “general intimidation” of the public and opposition figures. SADC’s preliminary assessment said voters were unable to freely express their democratic will and that the election fell short of SADC principles.

President Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote after her two main rivals were barred from standing. Chadema was disqualified in April after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct, while ACT‑Wazalendo — the country’s second‑largest party — was excluded following an objection from the attorney‑general. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu also faces a separate treason trial after publicly calling for electoral reforms. SADC said those disqualifications created an “uneven political playing field.”

In her first public comments after being sworn in, Hassan — who first assumed power in 2021 after the unexpected death of her predecessor, John Magufuli — appeared to suggest that some arrested protesters were foreigners, according to an Associated Press translation.

Local and international rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about alleged forced disappearances, torture and assaults on critics, as well as media repression under Hassan’s administration. In June, a panel of United Nations experts reported documenting more than 200 disappearances in Tanzania since 2019.

What observers are calling for

• Independent investigations into reported killings, abductions and excessive use of force;
• Full restoration of internet access and safeguards for freedom of expression; and
• Electoral and political reforms to ensure a level playing field ahead of future elections.

The AU and SADC findings add to growing international pressure on Tanzania’s leadership to address credible allegations of rights violations and to restore public confidence in the country’s electoral processes.