Justice Mohamed Chande.
BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
A presidential fact-finding commission established to investigate the violence that followed Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 General Election submitted its report to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House on Thursday, April 23, 2026 – setting out key findings on the causes and impact of the unrest.
The inquiry, chaired by former Tanzania Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman and a former Prosecutor of the UN-International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), links the violence to a combination of long-standing and immediate factors, including tensions surrounding the electoral process, governance and accountability concerns, socio-economic pressures and declining public trust in institutions.
Presenting the report, Justice Chande said the incidents were not isolated. “The events we examined were the result of accumulated grievances which, when combined with immediate triggers, led to widespread unrest,” he said.
The Commission carried out its work over a period of approximately five months, covering 11 regions and 21 districts and examining 31 locations where violence was reported.
In total, more than 63,000 people were interviewed, providing testimonies that informed the findings.
The report indicated that 518 people were killed (490 males and 28 females), including 21 children. Dar es Salaam recorded the highest number of violent deaths (182), Mwanza (90), Mbeya (80) and Arusha (53).
The report also reflects concerns raised by citizens regarding alleged abductions and disappearances, noting that a number of cases remain unresolved. It further highlights the role of digital information, observing that some content circulated during the period was misleading or manipulated, contributing to tensions on the ground.
Receiving the report, President Samia said the government would study its findings carefully and take appropriate measures, emphasising the importance of unity and adherence to the rule of law. “This report gives us an opportunity to reflect as a nation and to take measures that will strengthen our systems and protect our people,” she said.
The government, the President added, will cover medical treatment costs for all those injured during the unrest, including provision of assistive devices such as prosthetics for victims who sustained serious injuries.
The President further directed that compensation be provided to small-scale traders whose businesses were damaged or destroyed during the violence as part of broader efforts to support recovery and rebuild livelihoods.
She stressed that the events surrounding the election should not be repeated, declaring: “What happened should never happen again in our country. Never again,” she insisted.
The President also reaffirmed the need for national healing, noting that she had committed to the formation of a reconciliation committee to promote dialogue, rebuild trust and strengthen cohesion among citizens.
Earlier, the President requested those in attendance to stand for a minute’s silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the October violence.
The Commission was formed in November 2025 to establish the facts surrounding the post-election disturbances and propose measures aimed at preventing a recurrence. Its findings are expected to inform ongoing discussions on electoral reforms, governance, and the protection of fundamental rights.
