Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered an official inquiry into deadly unrest that followed her contested Oct. 29 re‑election, after critics said the vote was undemocratic and main rivals were barred. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and the UN, have demanded independent investigations into alleged unlawful killings, disappearances and detentions. Hassan signalled possible leniency for youths charged in the protests and pledged to begin constitutional reform within 100 days to pursue reconciliation.
Tanzania President Orders Probe into Deadly Post‑Election Unrest as Rights Groups Demand Answers
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered an official inquiry into deadly unrest that followed her contested Oct. 29 re‑election, after critics said the vote was undemocratic and main rivals were barred. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and the UN, have demanded independent investigations into alleged unlawful killings, disappearances and detentions. Hassan signalled possible leniency for youths charged in the protests and pledged to begin constitutional reform within 100 days to pursue reconciliation.
02:09 AM, 11/15/2025Politics
Tanzania launches inquiry after deadly post‑election unrest
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced the formation of an official inquiry commission to investigate deadly unrest that erupted after her contested October 29 presidential victory. Speaking at the opening session of the new parliament, Hassan expressed condolences to the families of those who died and described herself as "deeply saddened by the incident."
“The government has taken the step of forming an inquiry commission to investigate what happened,” she said, urging authorities to consider the circumstances of those arrested.
The October vote, in which Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote, drew widespread criticism after leading opposition figures were barred from standing. Critics and many Tanzanians said the exclusion of rivals made the contest unfair and fuelled mass demonstrations across the country.
Although independent verification of casualties has been impeded by security restrictions and an internet blackout imposed during the unrest, the main opposition party has alleged that hundreds were killed when security forces moved into the streets to disperse protesters. Rights organisations and international bodies have called for an independent, transparent investigation into those reports.
Amnesty International has accused authorities of committing "grave human rights violations" including unlawful killings, enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions, and urged that all deaths linked to security forces be investigated promptly, thoroughly and impartially so those responsible can be brought to justice.
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, likewise pressed the Tanzanian government to investigate the reported killings, account for missing people and return the bodies of those killed to their families. He described accounts of families "desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another" as harrowing and said his office has been unable to verify casualty figures because of the security situation and communications blackout.
Meanwhile, dozens of people have been charged with treason and other offences related to the protests. In parliament, Hassan — who became president in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli — signalled some leniency for young people arrested during the unrest.
“I realise that many youths who were arrested and charged with treason did not know what they were doing,” Hassan said. “As the mother of this nation, I direct law enforcement to review the level of offences committed and allow those who followed the crowd without intent to commit crimes to make amends.”
Hassan also acknowledged calls from the opposition Chadema party for constitutional reform as a prerequisite for meaningful reconciliation, and she pledged that her administration would begin a constitutional review process within its first 100 days.
As Tanzania moves forward, international and domestic groups say transparency, independent investigation and accountability will be essential to restoring public trust and ensuring justice for victims and their families.