Pan-African civil society groups have condemned Tanzania’s October 29 general elections as a “total sham,” accusing authorities of widespread violence, killings, and internet shutdowns. The coalition called for urgent action by the African Union and SADC, warning that the country faces its worst human rights crisis in history.
A coalition of Pan-African civil society organisations has denounced Tanzania’s October 29 general elections as a “total sham,” accusing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of presiding over what they termed the country’s worst human rights crisis in recent history.
In a joint statement titled “Africa Will Not Be Silent: Pan-African Solidarity to End the Bloodshed and Demand Justice for Tanzanians,” more than 30 independent organisations from across the continent said the elections were marred by “widespread irregularities, brutal violence, and a total information blackout.”
The groups alleged that Tanzanian authorities conducted the polls despite warnings about uneven electoral conditions and that the process was accompanied by extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, abductions, unlawful arrests, and the muzzling of independent media and civil society.
“We do not doubt that no real election took place in Tanzania,” the statement read, accusing the government of ignoring calls for dialogue and using state power to suppress dissent.
The coalition cited footage and reports from media and observers suggesting remarkably low voter turnout and disruption of voting by security forces, including the imposition of a curfew in Dar es Salaam and other cities. They also noted a 72-hour internet shutdown that “denied citizens access to critical information,” while accusing authorities of attempting to conceal the true extent of the violence.
According to the statement, over 3,000 people have allegedly been killed since election day, with reports of mass graves being dug in major towns and bodies dumped in the ocean. The groups said Tanzanian authorities were “attempting a cover-up by disappearing bodies from morgues, hospitals, and streets.”
The Pan-African organisations also raised alarm over claims that mercenaries and foreign forces, including Ugandan troops, had been deployed within Tanzania — a move they said must be urgently investigated.
They condemned the declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “in contravention of Tanzanian law,” and compared the crisis to Kenya’s disputed 2007 elections.
“Tanzania has fallen into the worst human rights crisis in its history,” the statement continued, calling on regional bodies and international actors to intervene.
Among their key demands, the organisations urged Tanzanian authorities to immediately stop attacks on civilians, restore internet access, and allow an independent international fact-finding mission to ascertain the extent of the violations.
They further called on the African Union to convene an emergency Peace and Security Council meeting and asked the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take decisive action to prevent further atrocities.
The statement also urged President Samia Suluhu Hassan to take responsibility for the alleged crimes committed under her watch and to cooperate with international accountability mechanisms, including those provided under the Rome Statute.
“Tanzania and Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan cannot escape international scrutiny for the grave human rights violations that have been committed,” the statement warned.
The Pan-African coalition extended condolences to families of victims and praised Tanzanian youth for their courage and resilience in standing up for democracy despite the violence.
The statement was endorsed by more than 30 organisations across Africa, including Tetezi Africa (Kenya), AfricTivistes (Senegal), Agora Centre for Research (Uganda), PAWA254 (Kenya), and the South Africa-based Rivonia Circle, among others.
