Nairobi, December 6 (EFE). – Tanzania said it had “taken note” of concerns raised by European Union (EU) countries, the United States and the UN Human Rights Council and called on all interested parties to recognize the work of the Commission of Inquiry that will produce a report on the violence following the October 29 elections.
“Tanzania has received and noted the statements and public comments made at various points over the last week by development partners and governments in relation to Tanzania and the events of October 29, 2025,” the Tanzanian executive said in a statement released late Friday.
Some 16 Western countries joined the EU in calling on Tanzanian authorities to “urgently” hand over the bodies of victims of the violence unleashed against election protests that left hundreds dead, according to the UN.
Tanzania assured the international community that it was committed to “constructive international cooperation for peace and development” and called for allowing “national mechanisms to implement the measures decided by the government”.
The government of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said it “notes with concern” the content of these statements, although it “recognizes the role of the international community in promoting democracy and socio-political development in the country.”
In a joint statement, the diplomatic missions of the signatory states – including Spain – in Tanzania said they had received “credible reports” from national and international organizations indicating extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary detentions and the concealment of bodies in the country after the elections.
The international community made the comments a day after the United States announced it was reviewing its relations with Tanzania due to election violence and the “ongoing suppression” of freedom of religion and expression in the country.
“While recognizing the role of the international community in promoting democracy and socio-political development in the country, it is also important to recognize the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry that will investigate the post-election violence and prepare its report,” the Tanzanian government noted.
The protests erupted after Hassan was declared winner of the parliamentary elections with 97.66% of the vote, which left her two main rivals barred from voting.
Police used tear gas and live ammunition against protesters, while the government imposed a curfew and cut off internet access across the country.
According to the United Nations, hundreds may have died in the demonstrations, while the opposition Party for Democracy and Progress (Chadema, in Swahili) puts the death toll at the hands of police at up to 1,000, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
At the start of the 13th legislative term, Hassan announced the creation of a commission to investigate the deaths of protesters.
On the other hand, the Tanzanian police have banned the protests announced via social networks for next December 9th and any kind of demonstration is considered illegal. EFE
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