By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
1 December 2025 - The Inquiry Commission into the violence surrounding the 29 October 2025 general election has assured Tanzanians that it will conduct a proper investigation and produce a conclusive report.
Retired Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mohammed Chande Othman, told journalists on Monday that the Commission, which he chairs, has been assigned six specific tasks related to investigating the incidents that occurred during and after the elections.
Fully aware that some opposition parties have insisted it is an illegitimate commission, he said they would seek views from all actors.
"We believe that leaders from the opposition parties are going to cooperate and give their views during the investigations," Justice Othman said.
"If they refuse, then the Commission shall go on with the investigations."
The commission is tasked with establish the root cause of the violence, the intentions of those who took part in the unrest, the impact of the violence, the circumstances and actions taken by the Tanzanian government, recommend areas that need strengthening to enhance accountability, and any other matters deemed relevant.
This assurance comes amidst tension in the country as Independence Day, celebrated every 9 December, draws near.
There are calls for countrywide demonstrations as a protest against the Samia Suluhu Hassan government.
The United States has already issued a fresh security alert for its citizens in Tanzania, warning that the country could experience significant unrest in the coming days as calls grow for nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
In a notice released by the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, American travellers were urged to prepare for major disruptions from as early as 5 December, ahead of protests expected on 9 December.
The advisory comes in the wake of last month's disputed general election, which sparked violence, an internet shutdown and widespread disruption to transport and public services.
The embassy said that tensions remain high, noting that recent unrest had resulted in damage to infrastructure, violence against civilians and severe travel challenges.
Visitors were warned to expect possible curfews, cancelled ferries between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, delays or cancellations of international flights, and roadblocks restricting movement.
Foreign nationals have also drawn increased attention from security agencies. According to the alert, officers have in some cases searched electronic devices for political material and reminded the public that sharing images or videos deemed capable of causing panic is a criminal offence under Tanzanian law.
The embassy cautioned that its capacity to assist citizens during periods of unrest may be limited.
Travellers were advised to avoid crowds, keep emergency supplies, follow official instructions, and confirm flights by phone before heading to the airport.
The warning follows weeks of rising concern over the fallout from the 29 October vote. Human rights groups and opposition leaders allege that hundreds of civilians were killed in a security crackdown – claims the government has not directly addressed.
The commission of inquiry's independence has been disputed by rights organisations.
As pressure mounts internationally, the Tanzanian government recently cancelled its December Independence Day celebrations, diverting the funds to repair infrastructure damaged during the violence.
More from Kenya
Meanwhile, calls for demonstrations continue, with opposition groups demanding accountability for the post-election crackdown.
International scrutiny has intensified, especially after a widely cited investigation by CNN that used satellite images, verified videos and witness accounts to link security forces to fatal shootings and secret burials.
Senior US officials have since called for an independent international investigation.
The UN Human Rights Office has also reported that multiple sources point to a high casualty toll and large-scale detentions.
Tanzania's government has rejected the allegations, accusing foreign media of publishing unverified information and insisting its inquiry will provide clarity.
Political tensions deepened on Sunday after opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) accused the government of deliberately isolating its national chairman, Tundu Antipas Lissu, by restricting all senior party officials from visiting him at Ukonga Prison in Dar es Salaam.
Lissu has spent nearly eight months in remand custody on treason charges stemming from his April 2025 arrest during a political tour in the Ruvuma region.
Since then, he has routinely received visits from family members, lawyers, and party colleagues. Chadema now says that access has been abruptly cut off without explanation.
In a public statement issued on Sunday, the party's Director of Communications and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, said prison officers had repeatedly turned away top officials, including Secretary-General John Mnyika and Central Committee member Godbless Lema, over the past week.
According to Rupia, Mnyika was told on arrival at Ukonga Prison on 30 November that officers had "clear instructions" not to allow any CHADEMA leader to meet Lissu.
"This action represents an unusual restriction that violates the basic rights of a detainee to be visited and seen by relatives and associates," the statement reads.
CHADEMA described the development as a worrying escalation, accusing state institutions of using their authority to suppress opposition voices.
"This is a violation of the fundamental rights of prisoners and detainees, and an abuse of state machinery to oppress opposition politicians," the party said, urging both local and international observers to monitor what it termed a "dangerous trend" for the country's democracy.
The party has demanded that the Prisons Service provide a clear explanation for the sudden restrictions and promised to pursue legal, political, and diplomatic action to ensure Lissu's rights are protected.
However, Tanzania Prisons Service spokesperson Elizabeth Mbezi denied the allegations when contacted by The Monitor, saying she was unaware of any directive preventing access.
"I have no information about any restriction, and I have no information about leaders going to see him and being blocked," she said.
The episode adds to growing tension surrounding Lissu's detention, with opposition figures warning that the environment for political competition in Tanzania has sharply deteriorated ahead of future elections.
