By The Arusha News Reporter.
Former UN Sudan violence investigator and retired Tanzania Chief Justice, Mohamed Othman Chande, has been appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to head a national commission tasked with probing the unrest that followed the October 29, 2025 General Election.
Justice Chande will lead a seven-member team mandated to uncover the causes, circumstances and consequences of the clashes that broke out shortly after the vote.
Commission members include retired Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma, former Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, former diplomat Ambassador Radhia Msuya, Lt. Gen. Paul Meela – former diplomat, retired Inspector General of Police and former EA Regional Interpol head – Said Ally Mwema, former diplomat Ambassador David Kapya and former SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Tax.
The Commission was officially launched on Thursday, November 20 and has been given a 90-day mandate to deliver its first findings.
The President has also pledged to establish a reconciliation commission within 100 days to assess internal political challenges, foster dialogue and guide the country toward meaningful reconciliation and progress.
The post-election unrest has triggered both domestic and international alarm and concern. Opposition leaders and human rights groups allege that about 700 people may have been killed by security forces during operations to contain the protests and violence. The government has not released an official death toll.
Reports of live ammunition use, curfews, nationwide internet shutdown and claims of relatives being denied the right to collect bodies of their allegedly killed relatives from mortuaries have fuelled fears of a significant human cost.
Addressing the opening of the 13th Parliament in capital Dodoma last week, President Samia expressed deep sorrow over the loss of human life.
She led legislators in a minute of silence and conveyed condolences to affected families, also wishing full recovery for those injured. She acknowledged the destruction of property and urged the public to remain calm as the government works to establish the full truth.
The president stressed that the investigation aims not only to determine what happened, but also to help the country heal and strengthen democratic institutions. She instructed prosecutors to review treason and related charges filed against young people arrested during the disturbances, noting that some may have acted under pressure or without full understanding of the events.
Announcement of the commission comes at a time of heightened public expectations. Civil society organisations, faith leaders and human rights advocates have largely welcomed the move, describing it as an important step towards transparency, justice and national reconciliation.
The people are being encouraged to allow the inquiry to proceed independently as Tanzania seeks answers to what happened and the path forward.
