Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — More than 100 Tanzanians have been charged with treason following violent protests that erupted after last month’s controversial general election, which rights groups have condemned as deadly and undemocratic.
The unrest, which began on October 29, 2025, came after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the presidential election with 98 percent of the vote, a result the opposition dismissed as a “sham.”
Opposition leaders claimed they were barred from contesting, sparking widespread anger and demonstrations across the country. Human rights groups say hundreds — possibly thousands — of civilians were killed during the post-election crackdown.
138 People Face Treason Charges
On Friday, hundreds of suspects appeared before a court in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s economic capital.
According to judicial sources, 138 individuals were officially charged with treason, while others face related offenses linked to the unrest.
A court document seen by AFP accused the defendants of intending “to obstruct the election process and intimidate the government by causing serious damage to state property.”
Paul Kisabo, a lawyer with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), told reporters that many of the accused were in poor health and had been beaten while in custody.
“Some of them have been beaten, they are sick, and they have not received any medical treatment,” Kisabo said.
Since treason is a non-bailable offense, all accused persons will remain in custody pending trial.
Opposition and Rights Groups Decry Killings
The opposition party Chadema alleged that at least 800 people were killed during the post-election violence, while diplomatic and security sources warned that the true death toll could reach into the thousands.
So far, Tanzanian authorities have not released any official casualty figures, but rights groups have accused security forces of “excessive and lethal force” against unarmed civilians.
In a joint statement issued by seven Tanzanian human rights organizations, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), activists condemned the “reprisal killings of civilians,” adding that many victims were attacked in their own homes.
“Families have been left traumatized, and children have witnessed violence against their parents,” the LHRC said, warning that the true extent of the human rights abuses is yet to be fully uncovered.
The groups also condemned a six-day internet shutdown during and after the election, which they said obstructed the flow of verified information and allowed abuses to go undocumented.
Witness Accounts: “So Many Bodies in Hospitals”
Amos Ntobi, a senior official with Chadema in Mwanza Region, described scenes of horror, claiming he had personally witnessed people shot dead in broad daylight.
“There were bodies all over the streets — some people were killed instantly, others left badly wounded,” Ntobi told AFP.
He added that hospitals in northern Tanzania were overwhelmed with bodies, and said he had attended multiple funerals, including those of two children aged 9 and 11.
“One was shot near his home, the other while returning from a shop,” he said, adding that several party members remained missing.
“Compromised” Election Process
International and African observers have sharply criticized the election process.
The African Union (AU) and several election monitoring missions reported that Tanzanians were denied a free and fair vote, citing intimidation, censorship, and disqualification of opposition candidates.
In its preliminary report, an African election observer mission concluded that “Tanzanians were unable to freely express their democratic will.”
The AU observers went further, describing the October 29 election as “compromised” due to state interference and lack of transparency.
Growing Calls for Accountability
Rights organizations are now calling for independent investigations into the killings and detentions.
They urge President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government to uphold the rule of law, respect civil rights, and release all detainees held without charge.
As of now, hundreds of Tanzanians remain missing, with families pleading for information amid growing fears of mass graves and cover-ups.
