In the wake of Tanzania's contentious October 29, 2025, election, the country has been gripped by a wave of unrest and tragedy, as allegations of mass killings and secret burials swirl amid a government crackdown on post-election protests. The largest opposition party, Chadema, claims that security forces have been systematically disposing of the bodies of those killed during the violent suppression of demonstrations, a charge that has drawn international condemnation and left many Tanzanians searching for answers—and missing loved ones.
Demonstrations erupted across Tanzania in the days following the election, with young people leading protests against what many saw as a deeply flawed process. According to the Associated Press, foreign observers criticized the election for failing to meet democratic standards, pointing to the barring of key opposition figures and a strikingly low voter turnout. The government responded with a heavy hand, imposing a nationwide curfew and deploying security forces who used live bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds. The results were swift and, by many accounts, devastating.
Chadema, the main opposition party, has asserted that more than 1,000 people were killed during the crackdown. On November 4, 2025, the party alleged that security forces were actively trying to cover up the extent of the violence by secretly dumping bodies. "Tanzanians’ hearts are bleeding right now. This is a new thing for Tanzanians," said Brenda Rupia, Chadema's director of communications, in a phone call from Dar es Salaam, as reported by the Associated Press. She detailed that at least 400 deaths had been reported by party leaders in the Tunduma area of Mbeya region, with other regions also reporting hundreds of victims.
The authorities have so far remained silent in response to these allegations, but the mounting evidence and testimonies have alarmed both local and international observers. The Catholic Church has reported deaths in the hundreds, though it noted it could not independently verify the numbers. Human Rights Watch issued a statement on November 4, 2025, condemning the violent crackdown and urging Tanzanian authorities to "end the use of excessive and lethal force against protests, and take steps to ensure accountability" by security forces.
Further corroborating the grim picture, Tanganyika Law Society President Boniface Mwabukusi told the Associated Press that his group had received accounts of more than 1,000 deaths and was compiling a report to share with international legal organizations. "The killings were pre-planned to target regions that are known to be politically active, those that are critics of the ruling party. Following people to their homes and killing them amounts to a massacre," Mwabukusi stated.
Eyewitness reports suggest that the cover-up may be ongoing. Tito Magoti, an independent human rights lawyer based in Dar es Salaam, described the country as "in such crisis" as families search for missing relatives and try to comprehend the scale of the tragedy. Magoti recounted receiving a message from a citizen near Arusha who reported seeing two army trucks leaving a hospital mortuary, both loaded with dead bodies. One truck was full, the other half-full. Magoti suspected the authorities planned to bury the victims in a forest to conceal the evidence, adding, "I don't know how much hospitals are going to be complicit."
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania's first female leader, was inaugurated on November 4, 2025, following her landslide victory with more than 97% of the vote. This was her first election win, having previously assumed the presidency as vice president after the sudden death of John Pombe Magufuli in 2021. However, her victory has been widely criticized as lacking credibility, largely because her main rivals—Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo—were prevented from running. Lissu has been jailed for several months on treason charges stemming from his calls for electoral reforms, while his deputy, John Heche, was detained just days before the vote.
In her inauguration speech, President Hassan acknowledged the loss of life and called on security agencies to restore normalcy. Yet, her administration has also taken steps to control the narrative, warning citizens not to share photos or videos that could cause panic. After a six-day internet blackout, mobile phone users received text messages warning that disseminating such images could result in "treason charges." This warning came as the internet was slowly restored and people began sharing unverified images of bodies purportedly linked to the election violence. A social media page that had been posting videos and photos of alleged victims was swiftly taken down after attracting thousands of followers in a single day.
The international community has not remained silent. The United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada have all cited credible reports of large numbers of fatalities, echoing concerns raised by local organizations. Human Rights Watch, for its part, has called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible for the violence and alleged cover-up.
Chadema officials have stated that they will not enter into any political pacts with the government until there are meaningful electoral and judicial reforms. Deogratius Munishi, another party leader, was quoted as saying, "We want to see those who shot Tanzanians being held accountable." The party's stance reflects a broader demand for justice and transparency, sentiments echoed by many Tanzanians who feel betrayed by the events of the past week.
Life in Tanzania’s major cities is slowly returning to normal. By November 4, 2025, gas stations, grocery shops, and public transport had begun to reopen in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, following days of closure amid the unrest. The government spokesperson announced on November 3, 2025, that all public workers should return to their offices, effectively ending a work-from-home order that had been imposed after the curfew was declared.
Despite these outward signs of recovery, the scars of the crackdown remain raw. Many families are still searching for missing loved ones, and the true scale of the tragedy may not be known for some time. As the world watches, the calls for accountability and reform in Tanzania grow louder, with both local and international voices demanding an end to violence and a return to democratic norms.
For now, Tanzania stands at a crossroads, its people grappling with grief, anger, and uncertainty as they look for answers—and hope—in the aftermath of an election that has shaken the nation to its core.
