TANZANIA – OCTOBER & NOVEMBER, 2025 Tanzania has recently been at the center of a political crisis that erupted into large-scale protests following the disputed presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of October 2025. Protests broke out after the main opposition candidates, including Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina, were disqualified from the election, which opposition parties called undemocratic and manipulated. Demonstrators took to the streets to protest the results and demand fair and transparent elections.
Security forces responded harshly. Police and soldiers used tear gas, rubber and live bullets, and deployed the army to disperse demonstrations, especially in the capital, Dar es Salaam, and other cities. According to witnesses and reports from Human Rights Watch, security forces fired on protesters and bystanders, resulting in dozens to hundreds of deaths. Opposition estimates claim up to 700 victims, though the exact number is unclear due to internet restrictions and media censorship. Authorities have not officially confirmed any exact death toll.
The violence affected not only active protesters but also civilians nearby, prompting international concern. The UN, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations have called for an independent investigation and respect for basic human rights. The Catholic Church of Tanzania condemned the use of deadly force against civilians and demanded justice for the victims.
READ MORE:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/11/04/tanzania-killings-crackdown-follow-disputed-elections
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/31/protests-over-disputed-tanzania-election-enter-3rd-day-military-deployed
