KHRC, Global Rights Groups Demand Action as Post-Election Violence Escalates in Tanzania
Human rights organizations have demanded urgent intervention in Tanzania following deadly post-election violence and a sweeping crackdown on dissent. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) issued a joint call to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government on October 31, 2025.
Calls to Halt Repression and Restore Rights
The groups urged Tanzanian authorities to immediately end the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters. They also demanded the release of detained opposition figures, restoration of full internet access, and an independent probe into alleged killings.
“Kenya cannot remain silent while our neighbour slides into authoritarianism,” said KHRC Executive Director Davis Malombe. He warned the East African Community (EAC) against normalizing election-related violence.
Regional Bodies Urged to Act
FIDH President Alice Mogwe called on the African Union and EAC to reject any election that fails democratic standards. “They must publicly denounce violations and uphold human rights,” she stated.
Crackdown Sparks Regional Alarm
Violence erupted after Tanzania’s October 29 general elections. Rights monitors report up to 30 protesters killed in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma. Security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds.
An internet blackout on election day blocked independent reporting. Journalists faced arrests and intimidation, including Kenyan reporter Shoka Juma of Nyota TV, detained near the Lunga Lunga border.
UN Joins Condemnation
The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed alarm over the use of lethal force. It urged Tanzanian security agencies to comply with international standards on crowd control and protect civilians.
