Joseph Isangura
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered a sweeping criminal investigation into violence linked to Tanzania’s disputed 2025 election period, signaling a potentially historic attempt to address allegations of killings, disappearances and politically connected unrest that shook the country after the polls.
In a move likely to draw intense regional and international attention, the Tanzanian government announced the formation of a special inquiry commission tasked with uncovering the truth behind deadly incidents reported during and after the October 29, 2025 elections.
The commission was established following recommendations from a separate judicial inquiry chaired by retired judge Othman Chande, whose findings reportedly raised unresolved questions surrounding violent attacks, unexplained deaths and allegations involving missing bodies.
According to an official statement issued through the Chief Secretary’s Office, the new body has been created under powers granted by Tanzania’s Commissions of Inquiry Act and will conduct criminal investigations into incidents that emerged during one of the country’s most politically tense periods in recent years.
The government said the commission will examine allegations of election-related violence, identify individuals believed to have been involved in attacks and determine whether further legal action should be taken against any parties connected to the incidents.
The inquiry will be led by retired Court of Appeal judge Shaban Lila, alongside former High Court judges Gad Mjemmas, Awadh Bawazir and Aishieli Sumari — a panel composed of some of Tanzania’s most senior retired judicial figures.
The decision marks one of the strongest institutional responses by the government since the controversial election period triggered widespread debate over political freedoms, state accountability and security operations in Tanzania.
Political observers say the establishment of the commission could become a defining test for President Samia’s administration as it attempts to balance demands for justice, political stability and institutional credibility.
The 2025 elections were accompanied by heightened political tensions and allegations from opposition figures and rights groups concerning intimidation, violent confrontations and heavy-handed security measures in some parts of the country.
While authorities maintained that security operations were aimed at preserving public order, critics argued that several incidents required independent scrutiny and accountability.
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Human rights organizations have consistently called for transparent investigations into reported abuses and unresolved deaths linked to the election period, warning that failure to address such allegations could deepen mistrust in democratic institutions.
Analysts say the launch of the inquiry may also reflect broader efforts by Tanzania to reinforce its image internationally at a time when governance, rule of law and democratic accountability are receiving increased attention across Africa.
The commission is expected to gather testimonies, review evidence and submit recommendations that could include criminal prosecutions, institutional reforms or administrative action depending on the outcome of investigations.
International observers are likely to monitor the process closely, particularly regarding the commission’s independence and whether its findings will be fully disclosed to the public.
Updates from the Government of Tanzania, judicial developments through the Judiciary of Tanzania and regional governance monitoring by the African Union are expected to shape broader reactions as the investigation unfolds.
As the commission prepares to begin its work, Tanzania now faces mounting expectations over whether the inquiry will deliver accountability, national reconciliation and answers to one of the country’s most sensitive political chapters in recent history.
