Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged sweeping constitutional reforms following the release of a government report into last year’s post-election violence that left hundreds dead and thousands injured.
A commission set up to investigate the unrest announced on Thursday that 518 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured during the chaos that erupted after the October 29, 2025 elections. However, opposition groups have strongly rejected the findings, claiming the true death toll runs into the thousands and accusing the government of attempting to “whitewash the regime’s crimes.”
Speaking after receiving the report, President Hassan said the findings would guide constitutional amendments aimed at addressing underlying political tensions. She also announced plans to establish a national reconciliation commission and a special criminal investigative body to examine the violence.
“What happened in October 2025 did not stop or reduce the issues we face as a country,” Hassan said. “Chaos erupted, but the chaos and violence did not solve our problems. Instead, they added onto our issues.”
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According to the president, the new investigative body will focus on identifying those who planned, financed, or participated in criminal acts, including looting and the destruction of infrastructure. It will also probe allegations of abductions and missing bodies, which have fueled public anger.
More than 200 people remain unaccounted for, with several families reporting that they initially identified the bodies of relatives in morgues, only for them to later disappear under unclear circumstances.
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The violence followed a highly contested election in which young protesters took to the streets, accusing the government of suppressing opposition voices. At the time, a prominent opposition leader remained imprisoned on treason charges, while another key presidential candidate was barred from running.
President Hassan, who was seeking a second term after completing the tenure of her predecessor John Magufuli, won the election with 97% of the vote. Some international observers said the process fell short of being free and fair.
During the unrest, authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, drawing criticism from rights groups and foreign governments. Hassan later apologized to the diplomatic community and pledged that such a measure would not be repeated.
Despite the government’s promises of reform, skepticism remains high among opposition figures and civil society groups, who continue to demand greater transparency, accountability, and justice for victims.
The coming months will test whether the proposed reforms can ease political tensions and restore public trust in Tanzania’s democratic institutions.
