Inquiry finds over 500 killed in Tanzania election violence

A commission of inquiry in Tanzania has reported that 518 people died from "unnatural causes" following protests after the 2025 general election.

The inquiry, chaired by Mohamed Chande Othman, did not assign responsibility for the deaths and recommended further investigations.

The deaths occurred amid widespread protests after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote in the October 29 election.

Opposition parties and human rights groups accused security forces of a brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.

The government has denied these allegations, with President Hassan stating the election was fair and transparent.

She blamed foreigners for the violence, describing it as part of a plot to overthrow her administration.

International observers, including the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), had previously raised concerns about the election's transparency and democratic standards.

Videos verified last year showed police firing on protesters, using tear gas and firearms to disperse crowds.

The scale of the violence was notable in a country known for political calm and consensus for nearly six decades.

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