Western diplomatic missions in Tanzania, notably those from the UK and France, have urged local authorities to return the bodies of individuals killed during the electoral violence in October to their families. This call follows reports alleging severe human rights violations, including “extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests” and the “concealment of bodies” by Tanzanian officials amid the unrest.
The Tanzanian government has not issued any comment regarding these allegations. This statement from the embassies comes shortly after President Samia Suluhu Hassan criticized Western nations for what she perceives as interference in Tanzania’s domestic affairs.
Although hundreds are reported to have died during the unrest, the government has not provided an official death toll. The violence erupted following the October 29 presidential election, where President Samia was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the votes. The election was marred by controversy as her primary opponents were barred from participating, sparking widespread anger over the legitimacy of the electoral process, which many in the opposition described as a “mockery of democracy.”
Political repression and demands for accountability
In an effort to suppress dissent, authorities enforced an internet blackout and threatened individuals who shared images from the protests. Despite defending the election’s integrity, President Samia has faced criticism regarding her administration’s human rights practices.
After the protests, at least 240 individuals were charged with treason; however, the president later sought to alleviate tensions by instructing prosecutors to “show leniency.” Reports indicate that many of those charged have already been released. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu, though, remains incarcerated since being charged with treason in April.
In a united statement, the coalition of Western embassies, which includes representatives from the European Union, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, called upon President Samia’s government to release political prisoners and ensure that detainees receive necessary legal and medical assistance. They emphasized, “We call on the authorities to urgently release all the bodies of the dead to their families.”
The embassies acknowledged the government’s decision to investigate the events leading up to the violence but insisted that the inquiry must be conducted independently, transparently, and inclusively, with the participation of civil society, faith-based organizations, and various political stakeholders. “We reiterate our call on the government to uphold its international commitments to protecting fundamental freedoms and the constitutional rights of all Tanzanians to access information and express themselves freely,” the statement asserted.
Growing international scrutiny and government response
The statement comes amid increasing diplomatic scrutiny of Tanzania regarding reports of human rights violations during the contentious election period. Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, revealed in a recent press briefing that the Tanzanian government has intensified its crackdown on dissenters since the elections, with numerous academics, civil society activists, and local political leaders reportedly detained by unidentified armed personnel.
He highlighted that hundreds have died and over 2,000 have been detained since the protests began. “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained,” Magango added.
The US government has also indicated it is reassessing its relations with Tanzania in light of the government’s harsh response to protestors. The State Department expressed concern, stating that it “cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region.”
In a recent address, President Samia defended the government’s actions as “necessary” to prevent what she claimed were attempts to overthrow her administration, accusing foreign actors of conspiring with opposition groups to instigate “regime change” without providing any evidence for these claims. She emphasized that her government is prepared to confront protestors in upcoming demonstrations planned for next week.
Since her inauguration as Tanzania’s first female president in 2021, following the death of John Magufuli, President Samia had initially been regarded positively for easing political restrictions. However, the political landscape has increasingly tightened under her leadership.