The political landscape in Tanzania has been thrown into turmoil following the country’s hotly disputed presidential election held on October 29, 2025. As the dust settles from a vote marred by allegations of fraud, violence, and government crackdowns, the East African nation finds itself at a crossroads, with opposition parties, religious leaders, and international observers sounding alarms over the future of democracy and justice in the country.
On November 10, 2025, the Catholic Church took a bold stand against the escalating violence and repression. During a somber funeral service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dar es Salaam, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi condemned the killings of anti-government protesters, warning that lasting peace would remain elusive without a genuine commitment to justice. “The punishment for protests is not to shoot and kill,” he declared, urging both authorities and citizens to seek national healing and exercise restraint. The archbishop’s words resonated deeply, coming at a time when the nation is reeling from widespread unrest and mounting casualties.
According to the country’s main opposition party, Chadema, the post-election crackdown has been nothing short of catastrophic. The party claims that at least 2,000 people have been killed and hundreds more detained since the announcement of the election results. Chadema’s leadership, already under intense scrutiny and pressure, has seen many of its senior figures arrested or forced into hiding. Among those recently freed on bond is John Heche, the party’s deputy leader, who was detained prior to the polls on accusations of orchestrating demonstrations. The legal ordeal for Chadema’s top brass is far from over; the treason case against its leader, Tundu Lissu, was postponed after prosecutors’ witnesses failed to appear in court, citing security concerns.
But the government’s response has only intensified. On November 10, Tanzanian authorities ordered the arrest of 10 senior Chadema officials, including secretary-general John Mnyika, spokeswoman Brenda Rupia, and central committee members Godbless Lema and Boniface Jacob. According to a statement from the Tanzania Police Force, these actions are part of a broader effort to quell what officials describe as attempts to disrupt the peace and stability of the nation. Arrest warrants have also been issued for other prominent figures, such as Josephat Gwajima, an influential preacher whose church was deregistered earlier in 2025 after he criticized the government’s record on human rights.
The crackdown has seen more than 200 people charged with treason in the wake of violent protests. Hundreds of protesters have been brought to court in Dar es Salaam, facing accusations of “conspiracy to commit treason.” Lawyers representing the detained allege that their clients have suffered widespread torture and abuse while in custody, deepening concerns about the rule of law and the protection of basic rights. The situation has left many opposition leaders either behind bars or on the run, with Chadema stating that at least 800 people have died in the crackdown—a figure that, while lower than the party’s earlier estimate, remains deeply troubling.
The government, for its part, maintains that it is acting within the law. Authorities have charged 76 individuals with treason and criminal conspiracy for allegedly plotting to disrupt the October 29 election. Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi announced on November 9 that the government intends to initiate dialogue to restore calm, though he did not clarify who would participate in such talks. The opposition, however, has flatly rejected any negotiations that do not begin with a clear commitment to justice for victims of the crackdown. “Dialogue without justice is meaningless,” a Chadema spokesperson insisted, echoing the sentiments of many who feel that reconciliation cannot precede accountability.
International observers have not been silent. The African Union, among other organizations, has criticized Tanzania’s election process, stating unequivocally that the vote failed to meet democratic standards. Reports from observers and rights groups describe an atmosphere of intimidation, censorship, and widespread voter suppression. Violent clashes erupted in several regions after the results were announced, with opposition supporters accusing security forces of secretly disposing of bodies to conceal the true extent of the violence. These accusations have only fueled public anger and distrust, especially as President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with a staggering 97–98 percent of the vote—a result that opposition parties have dismissed as a sham.
President Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli in 2021, now faces her most serious political crisis yet. Her administration has been accused of silencing dissent and using the courts to neutralize opposition. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, who has been jailed for several months and faces treason charges, had previously called for electoral reforms before the October 29 vote. His detention, along with that of other high-profile figures, has become a rallying point for those demanding change.
As the country looks ahead to its Independence Day celebrations on December 9, tensions remain high. More demonstrations are expected, with opposition supporters vowing to continue their fight for justice and democratic freedoms. The government’s decision to pursue criminal charges against hundreds of protesters and opposition leaders signals that the standoff is far from over. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church and other civil society groups continue to call for restraint, dialogue, and above all, justice.
Widespread reports of torture, abuse, and arbitrary detention have drawn condemnation from both domestic and international human rights organizations. The government’s heavy-handed tactics—combined with the scale of the arrests and the severity of the charges—have left many Tanzanians fearful for the future of their country’s democracy. The African Union’s verdict that the election failed to meet basic democratic standards has only added to the pressure on President Hassan’s administration to change course.
In a country that has long prided itself on stability and relative peace, the current crisis represents a turning point. The coming weeks will be critical as Tanzania’s leaders, opposition, and civil society grapple with the fallout from a disputed election that has left deep scars. The world is watching, and the stakes—for justice, peace, and democracy—could not be higher.
As the sun sets on another turbulent day in Tanzania, the calls for justice grow louder. Whether the government will heed those calls, or continue down its current path, remains to be seen.