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Official death toll revealed after Tanzania election unrest
A Tanzanian inquiry commission has confirmed 518 deaths from "unnatural causes" during last year's post-election protests, including 197 people shot dead. The figure marks the first official acknowledgment of fatalities since the October 2025 vote.
Unclear responsibility and disputed claims
While the commission, led by Chairman Mohamed Chande Othman, documented the deaths, it did not assign blame. Othman called for further investigations, noting the toll could rise as some victims were buried without official records.
Of the 518 dead, 490 were men, 21 were children, and 16 were security officers. Over 2,000 people were injured, including 120 security personnel.
"The claims of mass graves could not be substantiated," Othman said, alleging some images were manipulated using AI.
Opposition slams report as "cover-up"
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who won the election with 98% of the vote after key rivals were barred, defended the security forces. She claimed the violence was a coordinated attempt to destabilize the government and create a "leadership vacuum."
The main opposition party, Chadema, dismissed the report as a "whitewash" of the regime's crimes, accusing authorities of downplaying the scale of killings. Human rights groups had previously alleged thousands died, with reports of bodies removed from hospitals and secret burials.
Roots of the unrest
The commission cited economic grievances, unemployment, and demands for political reforms as key drivers of the protests. It argued the demonstrations were neither peaceful nor lawful, denying them legal protections.
Young protesters told the inquiry they were frustrated by Tanzania's one-party-dominated system, which has persisted since independence in the 1960s. Opposition leaders Tundu Lissu (detained on treason charges) and Luhaga Mpina (disqualified on technical grounds) were barred from the 2025 race.
Government vows accountability, opposition demands justice
President Samia announced a new criminal investigation body to probe offenses linked to the unrest, including looting, infrastructure damage, and deaths. The inquiry will also examine child fatalities, missing bodies, and abduction allegations.
"Those who planned and financed the violence will be held accountable," Samia said, while defending security forces for preventing "anarchy."
The commission recommended free medical care for victims, a national day of mourning, and a new constitution by 2028. It also proposed a reconciliation commission ahead of the next election.
International observers flagged election flaws
The African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) criticized the 2025 vote for falling short of democratic standards. The BBC verified videos showing police firing at protesters and using tear gas to disperse crowds, with gunfire audible as people fled.
Samia had initially blamed foreigners for the violence, calling it a plot to overthrow her government. The unrest shattered Tanzania's decades-long reputation for stability and order.
