US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations calls for probe into Tanzania election violence
The Committee stressed that any investigation must be independent and immediate. “There must be an independent investigation into these tragic acts immediately.”
The United States has expressed interest in uncovering what transpired during Tanzania’s recent election, which left citizens dead and injured, as growing criticism continues to target President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government over alleged atrocities.
On Tuesday, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations voiced shock and concern over an investigative report by Cable News Network (CNN), noting that the gross human rights violations documented in Tanzania warrant urgent investigation.
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“This report underscores the disturbing actions by the Tanzanian Government to suppress protestors. Evidence of mass graves shows an unacceptable attempt to cover up gross violations of human rights,” the Committee posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The Committee stressed that any investigation must be independent and immediate. “There must be an independent investigation into these tragic acts immediately.”
In a report that Samia’s government has strongly rejected as foreign-sponsored and aimed at destabilising the country, CNN found that police and armed men on patrol opened fire on groups of protesters, many of whom appeared unarmed or carried only rocks and sticks.
Geolocated videos, audio forensic analysis of gunfire, and eyewitness accounts documented the brutality unleashed on young demonstrators following Suluhu’s re-election. She claimed victory with 98 per cent of the vote on October 29 after barring her chief rivals from the race.
CNN-verified footage also supported witness reports of the deadly crackdown, showing morgues overflowing with bodies. Satellite images revealed disturbed soil consistent with mass graves at Kondo cemetery, north of Dar es Salaam. Human rights groups and witnesses told CNN that protesters killed in recent weeks were buried there.
Following the election, authorities imposed a curfew and an internet blackout as citizens protested the exclusion of opposition candidates. Main opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been in custody since April, charged with treason.
When internet access was partially restored a week later, police banned the sharing of photos and videos “that cause panic”. Officials initially denied any killings, but last week the president admitted there had been casualties, without providing figures.
Samia announced a commission of inquiry into the unrest, but suggested protesters were paid.
On Sunday, government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissed CNN’s findings as a “biased report” intended to mislead and incite, accusing the network of failing to give Tanzanian authorities a chance to respond. CNN said it had sent detailed questions to Msigwa, the police, and the Ministry of Health but received no reply.
“If they want to find us, we’re available. We’ll answer their questions. We’re not blocking them from doing their job. But they should do it professionally and fairly,” Msigwa said, adding that the commission of inquiry is ongoing.
The UN Human Rights Office, citing multiple sources, suggested hundreds of protesters and civilians were killed, with many more injured or detained.
CNN, working with open-source investigator Benjamin Strick, reviewed dozens of videos and images showing civilians killed by gunfire and morgues overwhelmed at Sekou-Toure Regional Referral Hospital in Mwanza and Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has urged the UN and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an independent probe into what it calls “mass killings” by security forces after the disputed election.
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CHADEMA Secretary General John Mnyika condemned the government’s handling of protests and appealed for international intervention.
“We advise and appeal to the international community, especially the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to urgently conduct an independent investigation into these killings committed by the government of Tanzania against its citizens and to take appropriate action,” said Mnyika.
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