In the aftermath of Tanzania’s 29 October 2025 elections, ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned by the ongoing suppression of civic space and political dissent. Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association are under severe pressure, with opposition figures arrested, young protesters targeted, and access to information restricted. These actions risk eroding the democratic space and silencing the voices of ordinary Tanzanians who are calling for meaningful participation and accountability in the political process. President Suluhu and senior Tanzanian officials have gone further and blamed ‘foreign nationals’, particularly Kenyans, for post-election violence, at the risk of inciting xenophobia, and putting Kenyans in Tanzania at risk of harassment, arbitrary arrest or worse. We call on President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the government to uphold fundamental human rights in line with national and international human rights obligations, make way for independent investigations into post-election violence, killings, and arbitrary arrests, and guarantee the safety of journalists, human rights defenders, political actors, nationals, and foreigners in the country.
On 2 December 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan publicly defended the conduct of Tanzania’s security agencies following the deadly crackdown on post-election protests that broke out after the 29 October polls. Her statement comes against the backdrop of widespread reports of killings, disappearances, and violent dispersal of demonstrators in several regions. Independent media outlets, local monitors, and eyewitnesses have continued to document serious violations. The Party for Democracy and Progress (CHADEMA), the main opposition party, has alleged that more than 2,000 people were killed, an alarming claim that speaks to the scale of the violence and urgently requires verification.
In her remarks, the president insisted that the protests were not organic expressions of public dissatisfaction but a coordinated effort to destabilise the government, claiming that young people had been paid to join the demonstrations. At the same time, the Tanzania Police Force issued a warning regarding renewed calls on social media for nationwide action on 9 December, framing public mobilisation as an attempt to provoke unrest rather than an exercise of constitutional rights.
The government authorities have openly acknowledged the events that followed the election, including the deployment of security forces, the use of live ammunition, and mass arrests, as necessary and proportionate to deal with the ‘unpatriotic young protesters’. In a December 2025 gathering of Tanzania elders in Dar es Salaam, the president stated: ‘The youth had no reason at all to be on the streets but were just misled to sing about issues that don’t concern them.’
‘This acknowledgement reinforces the urgent need for transparency for the 2025 election period, accountability for human rights violations, and protection for those who continue to face intimidation, discrimination and State-sanctioned targeting. This situation has serious implications for regional integration between Kenya and Tanzania – and more broadly, regional cohesion for the East African Community,’ said Mr. Mugambi Kiai, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa regional director.
Given the gravity of the allegations and the absence of transparent state reporting, an independent, impartial investigation is essential. Families of victims deserve to know the truth about what happened to their loved ones. Community witnesses, journalists, and human rights defenders have taken great risks to document the violence; their work must be protected, not silenced. A credible inquiry, whether domestic with strong safeguards or supported by regional actors, is necessary to establish responsibility and prevent further abuses.
On Thursday, 4 December, Meta suspended the social media accounts of Tanzanian activists who shared information and images of the violence perpetrated by security forces when suppressing public protests related to the elections. Meta confirmed that it restricted access to prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi-Tsehai’s Instagram account in the country following an order from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority. Meta also confirmed that it took down the Instagram and WhatsApp accounts of US-based Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi, but said that move was unrelated to government pressure but due to ‘recidivism’. Tanzania has intensified both digital surveillance and regulatory measures since October 2025 following election-related protests and multiple reports of human rights abuses.
Background
In the months leading up to the elections, the political space in Tanzania narrowed sharply. Several opposition parties including the main one, CHADEMA, were blocked from participating altogether, and prominent figures including CHADEMA opposition leader Tundu Lissu were arrested on trumped up charges. These actions point to a deliberate effort to weaken political competition and silence critical voices, denying Tanzanians their right to take part in a genuine and open political process.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan also publicly criticised what she called ‘foreign interference’ after regional observers attempted to attend Lissu’s treason trial. Security agents used this narrative in the public order management of the protests, framing it as attempts by outside actors to overthrow the government. Such statements not only heighten tensions but also create a hostile climate for human rights monitors and independent observers, who play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in matters of public interest such as elections and protests.
After the 29 October election, in which the electoral commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had secured 98% of the vote, anger spilled into the streets. Protests began in Dar es Salaam and quickly spread to other parts of the country. Much of the momentum came from young people who feel shut out of a political system that has been dominated by one party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), since independence in 1961. For many, the result simply confirmed their belief that the political process offers no real space for political participation, freedom of choice or opportunity for dissent.
How does a society move forward when ‘A Day of Violence’ redrew the lines of its identity?
Tanzania’s National Independence Day is celebrated on 9 December each year. It is a celebration of history and a living reminder of the country’s journey toward unity, nation-building, and shared civic responsibility. Unfortunately, President Suluhu has cancelled any public celebrations of the national event for Tuesday, 9 December 2025 because there is a possibility of protests in various parts of the country.
When a government fails to secure political and civil rights, people lose trust in institutions, public participation declines, and fear replaces open dialogue. Communities become more divided, grievances deepen, and social tensions rise, making it harder for the country to maintain stability, accountability, and a shared sense of progress.
But the nation can recover if and when they:
First, acknowledge the harm. The government of Tanzania should publicly recognise the violence, abuses, and failures caused by the government actions during the 2025 election period and public order management during the October protests. This breaks the culture of denial and validates victims’ experiences.
Second, establish accountability and independent oversight. There is a need for an investigation into the election-day events, the violence that ensued and the response by the State. The Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG), as the national human rights institution of Tanzania, has the mandate to conduct independent investigations and work with local and international actors to seek accountability. The law should accommodate fair administration of justice and fair trial for all persons implicated in the election’s irregularities and civil unrest witnessed in the country over the last several weeks. A credible inquiry, whether conducted domestically with robust safeguards or supported by regional actors, is essential to establish responsibility and prevent further abuses.
Third, ensure transparent governance. Adopt open government practices, publish public data on the 2025 election period, and adopt access to information measures to rebuild public confidence. On 1 November, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights called upon the Government of Tanzania to exercise its duty of protecting human rights in the country by ensuring that the citizens’ right to freedom of expression and access to information are respected and protected.
Fourth, strengthen civic participation. The government needs to respect and allow for a safe physical and online environment for public engagement, protecting media freedoms, and to encourage citizen involvement in decision-making. This aligns with the need for the immediate release of all individuals detained for exercising their rights to expression, association, and peaceful assembly — an essential step toward restoring civil liberties and reaffirming the protection of democratic freedoms for all persons in Tanzania.
Finally, invest in community healing and empowerment. Supporting reconciliation, psychosocial services, and grassroots peace initiatives helps rebuild trust between citizens and the State. Community healing and human rights education should be integrated into schools, community programmes, and national messaging to foster informed citizens, strengthen social cohesion, and support long-term sustainable development.
In the famous words of the first president of Tanzania, Mr. Julius Nyerere, ‘Every individual has a right to dignity and respect.’ Upholding civil and political rights through access to information, justice, accountability, and civic education strengthens social cohesion, fosters trust in institutions, and lays the foundation for inclusive and resilient national development and regional integration.