International Delegations Express Deep Concern Over Post-Election Violence in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. A coalition of foreign missions and delegations, including the British and Canadian High Commissions, the Embassies of Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union Delegation, have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the recent post-election violence in Tanzania.

The statement referenced previous remarks by the EU High Representative on November 1, 2025 and a joint declaration from the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom on October 31, 2025 regarding the Tanzanian elections.

The international community expressed profound regret over the tragic loss of lives and injuries resulting from the unrest, emphasizing the urgent need for security forces to exercise maximum restraint.

The statement highlighted credible reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the concealment of bodies. The delegations urged Tanzanian authorities to release all deceased individuals to their families and ensure political prisoners have access to legal and medical support.

The international missions called on the Tanzanian government to address shortcomings identified in preliminary election reports by the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

While welcoming the government’s acknowledgment of the need to understand the root causes of the violence, the delegations stressed that any inquiry must be independent, transparent, and inclusive. They emphasized the importance of involving civil society, faith-based groups, and all political actors to achieve justice and reconciliation.