MWE Correspondent
As Tanzania begins to move forward after the tense 2025 general elections, the country faces an emotional reckoning. For many citizens, the past few weeks have left deep scars both visible and invisible.
Families and communities are still counting their losses, mourning loved ones who died during the election-day unrest and in the violent days that followed.
According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, several people were killed and dozens injured during clashes between protesters and security forces across various regions. The organization expressed deep concern over the excessive use of force, urging Tanzanian authorities to conduct independent investigations and ensure accountability.
Witnesses in cities like Dar es Salaam and Mwanza described scenes of chaos—streets filled with smoke, the sound of gunfire echoing through neighborhoods, and families desperately searching for missing relatives. Social media platforms became digital memorials, where grieving families posted photographs and messages of remembrance under trending hashtags calling for peace and justice.
“This wasn’t just about politics anymore—it became about life and death,” said a resident from Arusha, recalling the fear that gripped her neighborhood as protests turned violent. “We lost neighbors, we lost hope, and we’re still afraid.”
Human rights observers and analysts warn that the psychological and social effects of the unrest could last for years. Communities that once gathered for celebrations now come together for funerals. Children who witnessed the violence may carry the trauma into adulthood, while trust in institutions continues to erode.
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Experts also highlight the need for mental health support, reconciliation programs, and stronger democratic safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future. The election, meant to strengthen Tanzania’s democracy, has instead revealed deep cracks in its social and political fabric.
Civil society organizations are calling on the government to prioritize national healing and unity. Religious leaders, too, have urged Tanzanians to avoid revenge and focus on rebuilding peace.
For families who lost loved ones, the wounds remain raw. Many say their journey toward healing will be long—and for some, forgiveness feels impossible. As one grieving mother in Morogoro said, “We don’t want revenge; we just want truth and dignity for those we lost.”
The aftermath of the 2025 elections has reminded Tanzanians of a painful lesson: democracy is not just about casting votes but about protecting human life, dignity, and justice. And for a nation known for its unity, this may be its greatest test yet.
