Tanzania Defends Its Handling of Post-Election Unrest, Citing Inquiry as Global Pressure Mounts

Kenya, 7 December 2025 - Tanzanian government has moved to calm growing international criticism over the country’s post-election violence, insisting it is taking “necessary national steps” to uncover what happened after the disputed 29 October polls.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation responded directly to a wave of reprimands from foreign governments and development partners, including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, several European nations, the UN Human Rights Council and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. Many of these partners had expressed alarm over reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and mass detentions linked to security operations after the election.

The government said it was “concerned” by the tone of recent statements, noting that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had met ambassadors and high commissioners on 28 November in an effort to brief them on the unfolding situation. It emphasised that a Commission of Inquiry had already been established to investigate the unrest, gather testimonies and produce a report expected to guide future actions.

“The findings of the Commission will help the nation understand the events that occurred and form the basis for engagement going forward,” the statement read, calling for patience as the mechanism carries out its work.

Western diplomats, however, have continued to urge stronger guarantees of transparency and independence. Their joint statement on Thursday called for the release of political detainees, the return of bodies to families, and full respect for freedoms of expression and access to information, issues that rights groups say have worsened in recent weeks.