DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — A coalition of 16 nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway, along with the European Union Delegation, has issued a joint statement expressing profound concern over the aftermath of Tanzania’s recent elections, citing extensive reports of deadly violence and rights violations.
The collective diplomatic demarche points to evidence of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests in the period following the disputed October 29 polls.
The statement, endorsed by the British and Canadian High Commissions, and the Embassies of Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden—reiterated previous international warnings and lamented the human cost of the crackdown.
The countries said they “deeply regret” the loss of lives and injuries reported in the post-election period.
Referencing “credible reports from domestic and international organisations,” the missions pointed to evidence of the concealment of bodies and other violations. They issued a strong appeal to the government regarding its security response:
“We recall the government’s desire for peace and stability, and underline the importance of security forces acting with maximum restraint,” the joint statement read.
The international partners also demanded that Tanzanian authorities uphold civic liberties:
“We reiterate our call on the government to uphold their international commitments to protecting fundamental freedoms and the constitutional rights to access information and freedom of expression for all Tanzanians.”
Specific demands for accountability
The coalition pressed the government to immediately take several steps toward justice and transparency:
- Release the bodies of those killed to their families.
- Free all political prisoners.
- Ensure that detainees receive adequate legal and medical support.
The nations also urged the government to implement recommendations detailed in preliminary election reports from the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), which identified “clear shortcomings” in the electoral process.
They welcomed the government’s stated intent to understand the circumstances of the violence but stressed the necessary conditions for any official inquiry.
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“We welcome the government’s recognition that understanding the root causes and circumstances of the violence including deaths is a vital step towards justice and reconciliation,” they cited. “Any inquiry must be independent, transparent, and inclusive – bringing in civil society, faith-based groups, and all political actors.”
Contrasting narratives
This joint statement follows an address delivered earlier this week by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan regarding the unrest. The President attributed the events to foreign meddling aimed at destabilizing the nation.
In her address, Samia claimed that outsiders “have been irritated by Tanzania’s stability” and accused them of coming “to destroy this country after destroying their own.” She emphasized that the country’s long-standing peace troubles those seeking disruption.
The President offered condolences to those who lost family members during the violence, stressing:
“when one Tanzanian sheds blood, we all feel the pain.”
