Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The East African nation of Tanzania has been plunged into its deepest political crisis in decades, with the aftermath of the October 29, 2025, presidential elections marked by widespread violence, mass arrests, and an escalating confrontation between the government and the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's overwhelming victory, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner by a staggering 97.66% of the vote, has been denounced as fraudulent by opposition parties, international observers, and human rights groups alike.
The run-up to the election was fraught with tension. According to Peoples Dispatch, opposition rallies were disrupted, candidates were denied registration, and media outlets critical of the government faced suspension. The most prominent opposition figure, Tundu Antiphas Lissu, was barred from contesting and later detained on charges of treason. His trial, which has dragged on for months, has become a flashpoint for the opposition's claims of systematic repression.
Violent protests erupted across the country, from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and Mwanza, as citizens rejected the election results. The government responded with a heavy hand. Security forces imposed a nationwide curfew, shut down the internet, and used live ammunition against demonstrators. Opposition claims suggest thousands were killed or disappeared, though independent verification remains elusive. Families continue to search for missing relatives, while a climate of fear and enforced disappearances pervades the nation.
On November 8, 2025, police arrested CHADEMA's Deputy Secretary General, Amani Golugwa, in connection with the unrest. According to NTV Kenya, Golugwa was one of nine senior party officials named by police as wanted for their alleged roles in organizing the protests. The party's Secretary General, John Mnyika, and head of communications, Brenda Rupia, were also targeted. In total, prosecutors charged 145 people with treason related to the post-election violence.
CHADEMA has accused the government of an orchestrated campaign to paralyze its leadership and intimidate supporters. In a statement signed by Brenda Rupia and reported by ChimpReports, the party alleged that "the government intends to charge our leaders with treason in an attempt to cripple the party’s leadership and paralyze its operations." The statement further claimed that arrests had spread to lower levels, with some members being forced to confess to organizing demonstrations.
The scale of the crackdown has drawn condemnation from various quarters. The Catholic Church in Tanzania, a powerful moral voice in the country, spoke out forcefully against the violence. During a funeral service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dar es Salaam on November 10, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi declared, "The punishment for protests is not to shoot and kill." According to AP, the Church warned that there could be no peace without justice, underscoring the country's urgent need for healing and accountability.
CHADEMA has reported that at least 2,000 people died in the protests, with many hundreds more arrested and charged with treason. The party’s chairman, Tundu Lissu, remains in detention, his trial repeatedly delayed. On November 10, the High Court in Dar es Salaam postponed his hearing after prison authorities cited security concerns and prosecution witnesses failed to appear. The court ordered that Lissu and all witnesses must be present when proceedings resume on November 12, 2025.
Despite the government's insistence that the election was fair, international and regional observers have painted a starkly different picture. The African Union (AU), after initially congratulating President Suluhu, eventually acknowledged that the elections "had not met the threshold of free and fair democratic values." The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressed "deep concern" over mass killings, arbitrary arrests, and the use of live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators, urging the government to "de-escalate the prevailing situation" and investigate alleged atrocities.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), through its Electoral Observation Mission, issued a preliminary report on November 3 stating that the poll fell short of democratic standards. The mission cited harassment of its own observers, including an incident in Tanga where security officers seized passports, interrogated monitors, and deleted photographs. These criticisms have so far failed to produce concrete action, highlighting the limitations of regional institutions in holding member states to account.
For many Tanzanians, the crisis is not only political but deeply personal. Families continue to search for missing loved ones, and opposition leaders and activists languish in detention. The climate of fear is palpable, with reports of forced disappearances and abductions adding to the sense of insecurity. The opposition, for its part, remains defiant. In a statement, CHADEMA vowed to stand with Tanzanians "in moments of joy, sorrow, grief, or hardship," declaring, "The voice of the people is the voice of God. Darkness has never overcome light. Together, we shall prevail."
The government, meanwhile, has called for dialogue to promote peace. On November 9, Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi announced plans to start a national dialogue, though he offered no details about who would participate. The opposition has refused to engage without a clear commitment to justice, insisting that accountability for the violence and electoral irregularities must come first. More protests are planned for Tanzania's Independence Day on December 9, 2025, raising concerns about further unrest.
The international community has largely watched from the sidelines. While statements of concern have been issued, tangible measures to address the crisis remain elusive. The AU, SADC, and other regional bodies have been criticized for their reluctance to confront member states over human rights abuses, a dynamic that has allowed authoritarian tendencies to flourish in parts of the continent.
As Tanzania grapples with the aftermath of its most contentious election in recent memory, the path forward remains uncertain. The overwhelming margin of victory claimed by the ruling party does not reflect national unity, but rather the deep divisions and unresolved grievances that have come to the fore. For ordinary Tanzanians, the struggle for democracy, justice, and the rule of law is far from over. The coming weeks, especially as Independence Day approaches, will test the resilience of the country's institutions and the resolve of its people to chart a more inclusive and peaceful future.
