By Brain Kiprono - Reporter
November 13, 2025 - The United States has joined the international community in mourning those who lost their lives during Tanzania’s recent elections. In a statement posted on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania said, “We join in mourning with all Tanzanian families and communities who have lost loved ones during this difficult period.”
The statement comes shortly after appeals from the United Nations, urging the Tanzanian government to investigate reports of killings, disappearances, and other violations linked to the October 29 elections. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted reports suggesting that hundreds of protesters and other citizens were killed, while an unknown number remain missing or injured. He also expressed concern over allegations that some bodies were removed from streets and hospitals to undisclosed locations, possibly to conceal evidence.
Tensions in Tanzania were already high in the lead-up to the elections, with several opposition leaders detained by the government, a move analysts described as an effort to limit political competition. Opposition parties have reported that hundreds of people were killed during post-election unrest, and families continue to search for missing relatives.
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President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the October 29 elections, securing 98% of the vote according to official results. While her victory was officially confirmed, opposition groups have criticized the outcome and raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
Opposition parties rejected the results, calling the vote a mockery of democracy, noting that Samia’s main challengers had been either imprisoned or barred from running. International observers have also expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the widespread unrest that followed the elections, which reportedly left hundreds of people dead or injured.
