By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 5 December 2025 - Western diplomats in Tanzania have delivered their strongest public rebuke yet to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government, demanding urgent accountability for widespread human rights abuses in the violent aftermath of the 29 October 2025 general election.
In a joint statement, envoys from the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, several European countries and the European Union condemned “credible reports” of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and concealment of bodies.
They expressed deep regret over lives lost and injuries sustained, reminding authorities of their duty to protect fundamental freedoms and exercise restraint.
The diplomats explicitly called on the Tanzanian government to immediately release bodies of the deceased to their families, ensure all political detainees receive legal and medical support, and implement recommendations from African Union and SADC election observer missions that flagged serious electoral irregularities.
“We reiterate our call on the government to uphold international commitments to freedom of expression, access to information, and protection of all Tanzanians’ constitutional rights,” the statement said.
Echoing the concerns, United Nations human rights experts have accused Tanzanian authorities of “widespread and systemic violations”, including hundreds of alleged unlawful killings, mass detentions, and enforced disappearances.
They too demanded full disclosure of the fate of missing persons and dignified return of remains.
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While acknowledging the government’s stated willingness to investigate the unrest, the envoys insisted any inquiry must be independent, transparent, and inclusive – involving civil society, religious leaders, and opposition parties – to restore public trust and achieve genuine national reconciliation.
The coordinated diplomatic intervention signals mounting international pressure on Hassan's government to deliver justice and transparency at a critical juncture for the country's democracy.
Hassan first ascended to Presidency in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli while in office.
In the recent elections, Hassan's main opponents were barred from contesting. Tundu Lissu of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) was incarcerated since April and faces treason charges.
Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was disqualified over what Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General termed political party membership technicality.
INEC declared Hassan the winner with almost 98% of the valid votes cast, but opposition parties question where the 31 million votes came from because there were protests that would significantly affect the number of voters who turned out to exercise their democratic right.
