Tanzania Marks One Year Since Deadly Election Violence as Victims Demand Justice

Tanzania is marking the first anniversary of its disputed October 2025 general election amid renewed calls for justice over deadly post-election violence, with survivors still living with physical injuries and psychological trauma while opposition figures and government critics face continued legal pressure.

The election, held on October 29, 2025, saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner with approximately 98 per cent of the vote after major opposition figures were excluded from the contest. The results triggered protests that were met with a deadly security crackdown, drawing international condemnation and raising concerns about the country's democratic institutions.

A government-appointed commission recorded at least 518 deaths linked to the unrest, although opposition figures and rights groups have reported higher numbers. Human Rights Watch says authorities have yet to hold anyone criminally accountable for alleged human rights violations committed before and during the election.

The anniversary has renewed demands for transparent investigations, accountability for those responsible and support for families still searching for answers about relatives who were killed or disappeared.

Survivors Continue to Live With the Consequences

For 61-year-old Twaha Bomeza, the election violence left injuries that continue to affect his daily life.

Bomeza was struck by shrapnel in the eye during a confrontation involving security forces and protesters in Dar es Salaam. He says he also lost four front teeth and continues to experience headaches, breathing difficulties and an internal eye injury.

"I tried to save myself, but I was shot. I fell down here and lost four front teeth," Bomeza told AFP, recalling the incident.

He says he still needs medical treatment but cannot afford the surgery required to address his injuries.

His experience reflects the longer-term consequences of the violence for survivors who must contend with medical expenses, lost income and the psychological effects of witnessing or experiencing deadly confrontations.

Another survivor, 37-year-old Joseph Zakayo, says a gunshot wound to his thigh has left him unable to operate his motorcycle taxi business as he did before the unrest.

"My life has taken a major step backwards," he said.

For affected families, the anniversary is therefore not simply a date of remembrance. It is also a reminder of the financial, emotional and social costs that remain unresolved.

Churches and Opposition Party Mark Anniversary

Religious services and mourning activities have formed part of the commemorations across the country.

The Catholic Church held special Masses to honour those killed during the violence, while the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), announced a seven-day mourning period.

In Dar es Salaam, streets were reported to be relatively quiet under a heavy police presence.

Churchgoer Noela Kigosi called for a different approach to resolving political disagreements, saying dialogue and negotiations were preferable to the use of overwhelming force.

The commemorations have also exposed continuing divisions over how the events should be understood and who should be held responsible.

In a statement, CHADEMA accused the government of undermining democratic principles and human rights. The government, however, has characterised the unrest as organised violence rather than solely peaceful demonstrations.

The competing accounts underline the need for transparent investigations capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding individual deaths and the conduct of security personnel.

Growing Concerns Over Arrests and Political Repression

Human rights organisations say concerns about the treatment of government critics have persisted in the year since the election.

Human Rights Watch reported on October 28 that authorities had not made criminal arrests over alleged human rights violations committed before and during the vote. The organisation also raised concerns about enforced disappearances, arrests of opposition supporters and allegations of mistreatment in custody.

Amnesty International has similarly criticised the authorities over what it describes as the use of counterterrorism laws and other legal measures to restrict dissent.

Rights activist Tito Magoti described the atmosphere as one of fear and uncertainty, arguing that the country remains deeply affected by the violence.

Opposition officials have also faced legal action. CHADEMA official John Pambalu was charged with treason in October, while opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains on trial in a separate treason case.

Lissu's judgment is scheduled for November 6, 2026. He has denied the allegations against him, and the court is yet to deliver its verdict.

The case has become another focal point in the wider debate over political freedoms, electoral reform and the treatment of opposition leaders in Tanzania.

Disputed Inquiry and Calls for Accountability

The government established a commission of inquiry following the violence, and its findings recorded at least 518 deaths. However, the full report has not been made public, according to Amnesty International.

Critics argue that the investigation has not adequately addressed allegations of excessive or unlawful force by security personnel. The government has also established a further inquiry intended to investigate the planning and execution of the unrest, including questions surrounding the use of force and missing people.

The central issue remains whether these processes will lead to independent investigations, public disclosure of findings and criminal accountability where evidence establishes wrongdoing.

Amnesty International has urged Tanzanian authorities to publish the findings, investigate alleged abuses and ensure that those responsible are held accountable through fair legal proceedings.

For families who have lost relatives, the absence of clear answers continues to deepen their distress. Some families have reportedly struggled to recover the remains of loved ones or establish the circumstances of their deaths.

International Pressure Mounts on Tanzania

The election violence has strained Tanzania's relations with some international partners, with Western governments and human rights organisations calling for accountability and respect for democratic freedoms.

The United States has also warned that the killings and allegations surrounding the crackdown should not be ignored.

Meanwhile, President Hassan has pursued diplomatic engagement with other international partners, including Russia, as her administration faces scrutiny over its response to the unrest.

The international debate has placed Tanzania's human rights record, political stability and commitment to democratic governance under renewed examination.

However, meaningful progress will depend on more than diplomatic statements. It will require credible investigations, protection for people exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and access to justice for victims and their families.

A Year Later, Questions Remain Unanswered

One year after the election, Tanzania continues to face the challenge of addressing the consequences of the violence while rebuilding public trust.

For survivors such as Bomeza and Zakayo, recovery remains difficult. For families of those killed or missing, the search for answers and accountability continues.

The anniversary has renewed calls for national dialogue, transparent investigations and an end to the intimidation of government critics.

Whether the country can move towards reconciliation will depend in large part on its willingness to confront the events of October 2025 openly, establish responsibility where evidence supports it and ensure that victims are not left to bear the consequences alone.