Families seek justice one year after Tanzania election violence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 11:28 · Archive

One year after post-election violence in Tanzania killed at least 518 people, families are still seeking answers and apologies.

One year after Tanzania's October 2025 general election, families remain traumatised by the violence that followed. A government-appointed commission, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, found that at least 518 people died from 'unnatural causes', many from gunshot wounds, with over 2,000 injured. However, the commission noted the death toll could be higher, as some families buried their loved ones without reporting to authorities. Human Rights Watch's senior Africa researcher, Oryem Nyeko, said the actual number of people killed was 'far more than the 518 people that were presented by the commission'.

The election campaign was marked by the exclusion of the main opposition. Tundu Lissu, leader of the Tanzanian Party for Democracy and Progress, was arrested and charged with treason in April 2025, and his party was barred from contesting the election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 per cent of the vote. On election day and in the days that followed, protesters called for political reforms and the president's resignation.

DW research, which analysed dozens of videos and reviewed police guidelines, has documented apparent use of excessive force by security forces. Many government critics say they still fear abduction, arbitrary arrest and politically motivated prosecutions. Some families, like that of a man killed in Mwanza, are simply waiting for an apology from the government.

How it is being reported

• Tanzania: 2025 election violence still traumatises, one year onTanzania is marking the first anniversary of a bloody election that left many traumatised. The October 29, 2025 election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 percent of the vote after most of the opposition was excluded, triggered days of protests that security forces brutally suppressed. Many government critics say they still fear abduction, arbitrary arrest and politically motivated prosecutions.France 24 · 30 Oct, 10:55
• One year on, families seek justice after election violenceOne year after Tanzania's deadly post-election violence, families are still seeking answers. A government inquiry recorded 518 deaths. DW research has documented apparent use of excessive force by security forces.DW News · 28 Oct, 16:30

In this story: Tanzania · Samia Suluhu Hassan · Tundu Lissu · Tanzanian Party for Democracy and Progress · Mwanza · Mohamed Chande Othman · Human Rights Watch · DW

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log