Political tensions in Tanzania have reached a boiling point following the country’s disputed October 29, 2025 general election, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government facing mounting accusations of brutal crackdowns on protesters, suppression of opposition voices, and international condemnation. As the nation approaches Independence Day on December 9, calls for fresh demonstrations and demands for accountability have only intensified, setting the stage for a period of uncertainty and unrest.
President Hassan, who retained her position with a staggering 98 percent of the vote, has fiercely defended the actions of security forces accused of killing hundreds—if not thousands—of unarmed demonstrators during three days of post-election protests. According to opposition parties and rights groups, more than 1,000 people were shot dead in the aftermath of the election, which they allege was rigged. Some opposition figures, such as the main party CHADEMA, claim the death toll could be as high as 2,000. The government, however, has dismissed these figures as “hugely exaggerated” and has refused to confirm any official casualty count, focusing instead on property damage caused during the unrest.
In a speech delivered in Dar es Salaam on December 2, President Hassan justified the use of force, arguing it was necessary to prevent the overthrow of her government. “The force that was used corresponds to the situation at hand. When we are told that we used excessive force in that incident… Were we supposed to simply watch that mob of demonstrators who were prepared to overthrow the government until they succeeded?” she declared, as reported by AFP. She further alleged, without providing evidence, that young people had been paid to take to the streets, describing the events as orchestrated violence rather than genuine protest. “These were not protests, it was violence with malicious intentions,” she told the nation. “What happened was a manufactured event and those who planned it intended to bring down our government.”
Despite her insistence that the government acted proportionally, international scrutiny has only grown. The United Nations has called for an investigation, stating that hundreds may have been killed by security forces firing on protesters. Senior US officials and two influential US senators have also questioned the credibility of the election results and called for an independent inquiry, while members of the European parliament have moved to suspend aid to Tanzania in response to the violence. President Hassan, however, has pushed back against these criticisms, accusing foreign governments of harboring a “colonial attitude.” “They still think they are our masters, they are our colonisers,” she said, echoing sentiments of national sovereignty. “Those foreigners keep saying Tanzania should do one, two, three, who are you? Do they still think they’re still our masters, our colonizers? Why, because of the little money they give us?”
The government’s narrative has been further challenged by a CNN investigation, which found evidence that police fired on unarmed protesters and identified possible mass graves north of Dar es Salaam using satellite imagery, eyewitness accounts, and videos. While Tanzanian authorities have rejected CNN’s reporting as misleading, they have not disputed any specific facts presented by the investigation. Human rights groups have also reported a wave of disappearances, arrests, and alleged abductions targeting government critics—actions that opposition leaders say were designed to silence dissent ahead of the vote.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party, CHADEMA, has refused to sign a new electoral code of conduct, demanding meaningful reforms to ensure a fairer electoral process after years of what they describe as rigged votes. Their leader, Tundu Lissu, was arrested in April 2025 during a political tour and now faces treason charges that carry the death penalty. According to CHADEMA, Lissu’s detention conditions have worsened in recent days, with senior party officials being barred from visiting him at Ukonga Prison. The party’s Director of Communications and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, stated that officials—including Secretary-General John Mnyika and Central Committee member Godbless Lema—were turned away by prison officers, who allegedly cited “clear instructions” to deny access. CHADEMA has described these restrictions as “a violation of the fundamental rights of prisoners and detainees, and an abuse of state machinery to oppress opposition politicians.” The party has called for both local and international observers to monitor what it calls a “dangerous trend” for Tanzanian democracy and has promised to pursue legal, political, and diplomatic avenues to ensure Lissu’s rights are protected. In response, Tanzania Prisons Service spokesperson Elizabeth Mbezi told The Monitor she was unaware of any such directive, stating, “I have no information about any restriction, and I have no information about leaders going to see him and being blocked.”
Amidst these escalating tensions, the government has established a Commission of Inquiry into the election-related violence, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohammed Chande Othman. The commission has been tasked with six objectives, including establishing the root causes of the violence, the intentions of those involved, the impact of the unrest, the government’s actions, recommending improvements for accountability, and addressing any other relevant matters. Justice Othman has expressed hope that opposition leaders will cooperate and share their perspectives during the investigation, but has stated the commission will proceed regardless of their participation. Some opposition parties have already dismissed the commission as illegitimate, questioning its independence and ability to deliver an impartial report.
The government’s response to the crisis has included the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations, with funds redirected to repairing infrastructure damaged during the unrest. Tensions remain high as the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam has issued a security alert for American citizens, warning of potential major disruptions—including curfews, cancelled ferries, flight delays, roadblocks, and increased scrutiny of foreign nationals—from December 5, ahead of expected protests on December 9. The embassy cautioned that its ability to assist citizens during periods of unrest could be limited, advising travelers to avoid crowds, keep emergency supplies, and follow official instructions.
As the December 9 protests approach, opposition groups continue to call for accountability and reforms, while the government maintains its stance that the unrest was a manufactured attempt to destabilize the country. International observers and human rights organizations remain vigilant, with calls for independent investigations into the violence and the protection of basic rights for all Tanzanians.
The coming days could prove decisive for Tanzania’s political future, as the country grapples with the aftermath of a deeply contentious election and the challenge of restoring trust in its democratic institutions.