A coalition of civil society organisations has condemned what it describes as grave human rights violations that occurred before, during and after Tanzania’s 2025 General Election, warning that the reported actions have left families traumatized and pose long-term risks to national cohesion and trust in public institutions.
In a joint statement issued in Dar es Salaam, the organisations expressed deep concern over verified reports of the killing of unarmed civilians, the use of excessive force by security agencies, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, denial of legal rights, restrictions on media freedom and a nationwide shutdown of internet services during a period of heightened political tension.
The statement was signed by the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Twaweza, the Foundation for Civil Society, JamiiAfrica, Msichana Initiative, the Centre for Strategic Litigation and the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group.
According to the CSOs, disturbing video evidence circulating online since the restoration of internet services appears to show security personnel using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, leading to the deaths of several individuals who, in many cases, were unarmed.
The organisations noted accounts of people killed while inside their homes or in their surrounding neighbourhoods, raising concerns about actions they described as retaliatory and indiscriminate.
They said some children witnessed the violent arrest or killing of their parents, a situation that they said has left deep psychological scars in communities.
The organisations further cited the deaths of journalists who were on duty at the time of the unrest or targeted at their residences.
Among the cases highlighted was that of Clouds Media journalist Master Tindwa, who was killed at his home in Temeke, and Kelvin Lameck Mwakangondya of Baraka FM in Mbeya, who was shot dead on October 29 while working.
In Dar es Salaam, a journalist from Azam Media was severely injured, while in Arusha, two journalists Godfrey Thomas of Ayo TV and Alphonce Kusaga of Sunrise Radio were arrested.
The statement also reported the killing of well-known religious leader Sheikh Msopa at his home in Mabibo Mwisho.
In addition to the reported killings, the CSOs said that thousands of young people were arrested in various regions across mainland Tanzania, many of whom have been held without being granted bail or brought before a court.
In Moshi, Kilimanjaro, they noted that more than 300 individuals were detained after the election, with some still being held without any official charge.
Similar situations were reported in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Mara, Kigoma, Dodoma and Songwe. Among the detainees, the organisations said, is the Deputy Chairman of CHADEMA, John Heche, who has been held without access to legal counsel.
The statement also criticized the decision to shut down internet access nationwide for six consecutive days beginning October 29.
The CSOs said the blackout denied citizens access to vital information, hindered media reporting, limited election monitoring efforts and disrupted communication during a critical moment in the country’s democratic process.
They described access to the internet as an essential component of modern civic participation and said the shutdown undermined rights guaranteed by both national law and international conventions.
The organisations called on the government to take immediate and decisive steps to restore public trust and ensure accountability.
They urged authorities to release individuals held without basis or bring them before the courts, allow families to retrieve and bury relatives who lost their lives, and commission an independent investigation either national or international into the deaths and incidents involving excessive force.
They argued that the sustainability of peace requires transparent acknowledgment of wrongdoing, justice for victims, and the protection of freedom of expression, including the safety of journalists.
The statement concluded with a call for renewed national dialogue involving political leaders, religious figures and civil society representatives to promote reconciliation and healing, and emphasized that families who lost loved ones deserve recognition, dignity and compensation as part of the broader process of restoring confidence in the rule of law.