President Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched a commission of inquiry into people suspected of instigating, participating in or financing violence and other alleged violations of the law during and after Tanzania’s October 2025 General Election.
The commission was inaugurated at State House in Dar es Salaam on Friday, August 7, 2026, with a five-month mandate to complete its investigations and submit its report.
President Samia urged Tanzanians to cooperate with the commission and refrain from interfering with its work, describing its mandate as a sensitive responsibility requiring a high degree of diligence.
“I strongly urge Tanzanians to support this commission and not interfere with its work,” President Samia said.
She said the commission had been established under the Commission of Inquiry Act, Cap. 32, following recommendations by a previous presidential commission that investigated incidents of violence during and after the October 29, 2025 General Election.
The previous commission, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, submitted its report to President Samia, who said she accepted its recommendations on April 23, 2026.
According to President Samia, the recommendations called for a comprehensive investigation to establish who instigated, participated in or financed the violence, with appropriate legal action taken against those found responsible.
She said the government had included judges from Uganda and Namibia to bring additional perspectives to the inquiry and enhance transparency.
The commission is chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Shaaban Ali Lila, a former Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania. He previously served as Resident Judge of the Mtwara Zone and Registrar of the High Court in the Mbeya, Dar es Salaam and Arusha zones.
According to Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka, the commission includes Namibian Judge Petrus Damaseb, Deputy Chief Justice and Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Namibia.
Judge Damaseb has also served as a judge of Namibia’s Supreme Court, Chief Executive of the Namibian Public Service, Judge of Appeal in Lesotho and Acting Judge of Appeal in Botswana.
Uganda is represented by Court of Appeal Judge Barishaki Cheborion, who also serves in the appellate division of the East African Court of Justice.
Judge Cheborion has previously served on several commissions of inquiry in Uganda, including investigations into alleged human rights violations, the burning of the Kasubi Tombs and corruption allegations in Mbarara.
Other members are retired Judge Gadi Mjema, a former Executive Secretary of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and former Chairman of the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal.
Retired Judge Awadh Mohamed Bawazir, a former Chief Investigator and Regional Commander of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Temeke, is also a member.
The commission further includes retired Judge Aishieli Nelson Sumari, who previously served as Resident Judge of the High Court in Moshi and Mwanza and as Assistant Director for Fraud and Corruption Offences at the Office of the Attorney General.
The commission will be supported by a six-member secretariat headed by Paul Kadushi.
Dr Kusiluka said preparations for the commission to commence its work had been completed.
President Samia said the commission’s five-month mandate could be extended if circumstances warranted more time, signalling that the government expects the inquiry to establish facts surrounding the violence and identify those who may bear responsibility under the law.
