Tanzania probe: 518 killed in 2025 post-election unrest

An independent inquiry into the unrest surrounding the tumultuous Tanzania’s 2025 general elections has revealed that at least 518 people died during the violence, in what is now one of the deadliest episodes in the country’s recent history.

The report, released at State House in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday, April 23, 2026, was compiled by a commission led by retired Chief Justice Mohammed Chande Othman.

It investigated protests that erupted during and after the October 29 elections and concluded that the demonstrations were unlawful and deliberately orchestrated to disrupt the electoral process.

According to the findings, the 518 fatalities included 419 men and 28 women, with 216 deaths classified as unnatural.

Victims reportedly suffered severe injuries such as gunshot wounds, burns, broken limbs and, in some cases, missing body parts.

The commission cautioned that the death toll could be higher, noting that some bodies were buried without official records while 39 individuals remain missing.

The violence was concentrated in at least 212 locations, including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya and Arusha.

In addition, at least 2,390 civilians were treated in public hospitals, with some believed to have sought treatment in neighbouring countries to avoid arrest.

The commission found that protesters blocked roads, looted businesses, torched infrastructure and attacked electoral officials.

It also reported that some participants were mobilised and paid between 10,000 and 50,000 Tanzanian shillings to take part in the unrest.

“It is the view of the commission that the protests that occurred were not peaceful,” Othman said, adding that evidence showed they were “planned, facilitated and carried out by coached persons.”

While the report acknowledged that grievances such as the high cost of living, unemployment and governance concerns fuelled public anger, it said these issues were exploited to incite violence.

The unrest resulted in economic losses exceeding 20 billion Tanzanian shillings.

The commission recommended further investigations into criminal conduct and called for national reconciliation efforts to address underlying grievances.