Dar es Salaam — Samia Suluhu Hassan has received the findings of a presidential inquiry into the violence that accompanied Tanzania’s October 2025 general election, with investigators concluding that the unrest was both organised and rooted in deeper political and economic frustrations.
The report, presented by commission chair Mohamed Chande Othman, documents at least 518 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries, based on testimony, medical records and field investigations conducted across multiple regions.
A complex mix of causes
Rather than attributing the violence to a single trigger, the commission outlines a layered set of causes. These include unresolved political tensions around electoral reforms, internal party disputes, and economic pressures such as unemployment and the rising cost of living.
The report also highlights governance concerns, including public dissatisfaction with service delivery and accountability at lower administrative levels.
Investigators distinguish these structural drivers from immediate triggers. Among those cited are the widespread use of social media to mobilise and coordinate groups, as well as political messaging that heightened tensions in the lead-up to the vote.
Evidence of coordination
According to the findings, some of the violence was premeditated. The commission details how certain groups were mobilised in advance, in some cases receiving payments and logistical support.
Tactics included simultaneous disturbances across different locations, attacks on polling stations and election officials, and destruction of both public and private property. The report states that a central objective of these actions was to disrupt the electoral process.
At the same time, it notes that many participants were not organisers but ordinary citizens—particularly young people—drawn in by economic hardship or persuaded by organisers.
Legal interpretation of events
The inquiry concludes that the incidents did not meet the threshold of lawful or peaceful demonstrations under Tanzanian and international law. It cites the use of weapons, failure to follow legal procedures for public assembly, and the scale of violence as key factors in this determination.
Human cost and lasting impact
Most of those killed were civilians, with the report linking many deaths to gunshot wounds and severe trauma. The commission cautions that the true toll may be higher due to unreported cases.
Beyond fatalities, thousands were injured and many families lost primary sources of income. The report underscores the psychological and social consequences, including trauma and long-term economic vulnerability.
Economic losses and disruption
The violence also had a significant economic impact. Property damage is estimated in the tens of billions of Tanzanian shillings, with small businesses and informal traders among the hardest hit.
Disruptions extended to transport, trade and financial systems, highlighting the broader economic risks associated with political instability.
Scrutiny of information and claims
The commission examined widely circulated claims during the unrest, including allegations of mass graves. It found no evidence to substantiate those claims following site inspections and forensic analysis.
It also reported that some images and videos shared online were misleading or taken from unrelated contexts, complicating public understanding of events at the time.
Pressure for accountability
While the report focuses on causes and impacts, it also points to the need for accountability and institutional reform. Its recommendations are expected to guide the government’s next steps.
Rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have previously raised concerns about the conduct of security forces and alleged abuses during the election period. They have called for transparent investigations and follow-through on any findings.
What comes next
The government is now expected to review the report and determine how to implement its recommendations, including measures aimed at preventing future electoral violence.
For Tanzania, the findings present both a detailed account of a turbulent period and a test of whether institutional reforms can address the underlying issues identified by the inquiry.