Tanzania Inquiry Says 518 Killed in Post-Election Violence

At least 518 people were killed in electoral violence in Tanzania following the 2025 elections, according to a government inquiry. The unrest came after Samia Suluhu Hassan won a disputed vote. Opposition groups reject the findings, claiming the true death toll is much higher and questioning the probe’s independence.

A government-appointed commission of inquiry in Tanzania has revealed that at least 518 people were killed during electoral violence linked to last year’s general elections, marking the first official casualty figure released since the unrest occurred.
The violence followed the October 29 election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98 percent of the vote. The outcome was widely contested, particularly because several key opposition figures had been barred from participating in the election, raising concerns about fairness and democratic standards.
In the aftermath of the vote, protests broke out across different parts of the country, with demonstrators challenging the legitimacy of the results. These protests were met with force, leading to days of unrest and widespread reports of violence. Opposition groups and religious organizations claimed that the scale of the killings was far higher than official figures, alleging that thousands of people may have died.
There were also serious accusations of human rights violations, including claims of mass graves and reports that bodies were removed from hospital mortuaries. However, the commission stated that it could not substantiate allegations regarding the existence of mass graves after conducting its investigations.
Mohamed Chande Othman, who led the inquiry, said the confirmed death toll stood at 518, including 490 men, but noted that the figure might not be final. He also addressed the circulation of graphic images online, explaining that while some were genuine, others had been manipulated using artificial intelligence, complicating efforts to verify information.
The situation was further obscured by an internet blackout imposed during and after the election period, which made it difficult for independent observers, journalists, and international organizations to assess the true scale of the violence in real time.
Opposition groups have rejected the findings of the commission, arguing that it lacks independence and cannot be trusted to deliver an impartial account, particularly since it was established by the same government accused of involvement in the violence.
The events drew rare criticism from regional bodies, including the African Union, which stated that the election failed to meet accepted standards for democratic processes. The violence and its aftermath have continued to raise concerns about governance, political freedoms, and accountability in Tanzania.