President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Shaban Ally Lila to chair a special commission that will investigate criminal acts linked to the violence that erupted during and after Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 General Election.
The move marks the latest step by the government in implementing recommendations made by the Presidential Commission that examined incidents of unrest and breaches of peace surrounding the polls.
In a statement issued on Monday by Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr. Moses Kusiluka, President Samia also named retired High Court judges Gad John Mjemmas, Awadh Mohamed Bawazir and Aishiel Nelson Sumari as commissioners of the inquiry team.
The statement said the appointments were made under powers granted to the Head of State by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 32.
The newly established commission follows recommendations presented in April this year by former Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande while handing over the report of the Presidential Commission on election-related violence to President Samia.
Justice Chande said although the commission had established the broader causes and patterns behind the pre- and post-election violence, a number of serious criminal incidents required deeper investigations through a specialised legal body to ensure accountability.
The criminal inquiry commission is expected to conduct detailed investigations into specific cases connected to the election period and advise on possible legal and judicial action.
The October 2025 General Election was followed by isolated incidents of unrest in some areas, prompting the government to establish a presidential commission to assess the causes of the disturbances and propose measures aimed at strengthening peace, justice and national cohesion.
