MWE Correspondent
The opposition party ACT Wazalendo has announced that it will not participate in the national commission formed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to investigate the incidents of unrest that shook the country on October 29, 2025, and the days that followed.
The party argued that the inquiry lacks legitimacy, independence and the necessary safeguards to ensure impartial justice.
In a statement issued on November 18, 2025, the party’s Secretary-General, Ado Shaibu, said the team appointed by the government cannot be trusted to deliver credible findings. He insisted that the composition of the commission undermines its integrity, asserting that some of its members are individuals whom the party believes should themselves be subjects of investigation.
“This commission is nothing but a mockery to those who lost their lives, the injured and the bereaved families affected by these tragic events. It is not a justice-seeking mechanism, but an attempt to conceal wrongdoing and shield those responsible for the abuses,” the statement read in part. Shaibu added that the party views the current process as incapable of addressing the depth of the grievances that emerged during and after the election.
ACT Wazalendo declared that it will not present evidence or cooperate with the inquiry in any form. Instead, the party called for the establishment of a truly independent international body. According to the statement, such a body should include representatives from the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union and global human rights organizations to ensure transparency, accountability and confidence in the findings.
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Earlier on Tuesday, a press release from the presidency outlined the team appointed to lead the government investigation. The commission will be chaired by former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mohamed Chande Othman. Other members include retired Chief Justice Prof. Ibrahim Juma, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, Ambassador Radhia Msuya, Ambassador Lieutenant General Paul Meela, retired Inspector-General of Police Said Mwema, Ambassador David Kapya and Dr. Stergomena Tax.
According to the presidency, the commission’s mandate is to probe the circumstances, causes and actors involved in the violent episodes reported during and after the October 29, 2025 general election. The inquiry is expected to collect testimonies from state agencies, civil society groups, local communities and survivors of the unrest, while also reviewing security operations conducted during the electoral period.
However, ACT Wazalendo maintained that the government-appointed team cannot fulfil national expectations for transparency. The party emphasized that the public’s trust has been shaken by the scale of arrests, injuries and deaths reported during the post-election period, noting that only an external and independent investigative framework can help rebuild confidence.
Political analysts say the rejection of the commission by a major opposition party marks a significant challenge to the government’s attempt to address rising public tensions. The call for an international inquiry is likely to intensify debate on the best approach to achieve accountability, reconciliation and long-term stability.
