DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has officially acknowledged an explosive documentary released by CNN, which details allegations of state-sanctioned killings and severe human rights violations following the disputed October 29, 2025, general election.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 21, 2025, the government confirmed it has taken note of the international report and is initiating a comprehensive internal review to verify the claims.
“The government is currently reviewing and verifying the contents of the documentary. An official response will be issued upon completion of this assessment.”
This development marks a potential pivot in the state’s response to the crisis, having initially denied reports of lethal force against protesters.
The CNN investigation has triggered widespread online discourse and renewed international scrutiny over the election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner with a controversial 98 per cent of the vote.
Documentary reveals chilling evidence
The CNN report presents harrowing accounts and footage that contradict earlier official narratives. Key findings include:
- Crowded mortuaries: The network verified videos showing overwhelmed mortuaries, corroborating witness accounts of significant casualties during the crackdown.
- Mass graves allegations: Satellite imagery and video footage reportedly show recently disturbed soil at Kondo Cemetery, north of Dar es Salaam. Human rights groups and witnesses allege this site may have been used to bury victims of the unrest.
- Information suppression: The documentary highlights the state-imposed communications blackout. Authorities enforced a strict curfew and an internet shutdown in the immediate aftermath of the election. When connectivity was partially restored, police reportedly restricted the sharing of visual evidence deemed likely to cause “panic.”
From denial to investigation
Prior to this documentary, government officials had largely dismissed claims that security forces had killed protesters.
President Suluhu had previously acknowledged that “some casualties” occurred but stopped short of providing official death toll figures.
Also Read: UN probes Tanzania’s deadly election chaos: Reports of mass killings, hidden bodies emerge
While she launched a commission to investigate the unrest, she also suggested that some demonstrators may have been paid instigators.
CNN noted in its report that neither the Tanzanian government nor the police responded to requests for comment prior to the documentary’s broadcast.
The government’s commitment to now “verify” the contents suggests growing pressure to address the mounting evidence of post-election violence.
