As Tanzanians headed to the polls in last month’s general election, Tanzania was already polarized, with voters divided between abstaining and supporting opposition party Chadema’s “no reforms, no elections”.
But no one had imagined the three days of chaos that engulfed Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and commercial capital, and several other cities.
For the first time in modern mainland Tanzania, violent protests broke out against the exclusion of main opposition candidates – and soon turned deadly.
Chadema, who was barred from running in the election, accused Tanzanian security forces of excessive violence and killing of protesters during protests that followed the October 29 vote.
“Many of them have been shot in the head,” Chadama secretary Deogratias Munishi told dpa news agency.
Chadema and some human rights activists claim that security forces killed more than 1,000 people. The government said the figure was exaggerated, but it has not released any official death toll.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said it believes that hundreds of people died,
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced an investigation into the killings on Friday, reports AFP news agency. The move comes after activists and UN human rights chief Volker Turk demanded an independent investigation.
“I express my condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones,” Hassan told parliament. “The government has taken steps to form a commission of inquiry to investigate what happened.”
Where does Tanzania go from here?
Hassan on Friday called for leniency towards protesters who were charged with treason – which can carry the death penalty.
“I realize that the young men who were arrested and charged with treason had no idea what they were doing,” Hassan said.
Although the situation remains delicate, some analysts believe there is room for progress.
“For the first time in our country’s history, the 2025 election has been truly dramatic, marked by deep distrust between citizens and their government,” said political analyst Novatus Igosha.
He argues that Tanzania must restore impartiality in key institutions, starting with the courts.
“People need to trust that if they go to court, they will get a fair trial and a fair decision.”
He says the same applies to the police: “People need to trust that if they are arrested, they will be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”
According to Igosha, the country now needs “a new political commitment” based on real processes between the ruling party and the opposition.
He says Tanzania should “de-politicize the judicial system, professionalize the electoral system and guarantee civil liberties.”
Political analyst Paternus Niagira says the first step is to change the narrative around the general elections.
“The government must stop characterizing what happened as a criminal act,” Niegira told DW. “It should come out clearly and admit that excessive force was used and many people were killed.”
He believes acceptance is the key to national healing.
“The government needs language that brings people together so that citizens feel connected to their leaders. The idea that protesters were criminals or foreigners must be eliminated,” he said.
“The President promised a Truth and Reconciliation Committee, it is high time. But you cannot have reconciliation without acknowledging what happened.”
Roadmap for National Reconciliation
International human rights lawyer and activist Tito Magoti says Tanzania’s problems stem from long-standing issues with electoral governance.
“Since the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1995, it has always been controversial whether we have had free and fair elections,” he said. “It raises the question of an independent electoral body which we still don’t have.”
He argues that recent violence reflects deeper systemic failures.
He said, “This political massacre happened because of our failed governance system. We need a new constitution that protects individual rights and ensures the independence of justice institutions.”
“Who in Tanzania goes to court believing they will get justice, especially in matters involving the government?”
Senior journalist Amini Magheni says Tanzania should return to dialogue.
“Tanzania must return to its roots of resolving conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation,” Mageni told DW. He said that history shows that society becomes better after such conversations.
He suggested that “after national dialogue, we should build a society based on mutual respect.”
“Leaders must respect the people they lead and conversely, the government shows respect by upholding justice, fairness and good governance.”
Edited by: Keith Walker