"518 were killed in Tanzania election violence, majority from gunshots" - Report

By Our Correspondent, DAR-ES-SALAAM Tanzania 

A Commission of Inquiry into the post-election violence of October 29, 2025 in Tanzania, has established that 518 people lost their lives during the unrest, the majority from gunshot wounds, according to findings presented to President Samia Hassan at Dar es Salaam State House on Thursday.

Presenting the final report, Commission Chairperson, former Chief Justice Mohamed Othman, said the findings were based on extensive medical and forensic investigations, including interviews with 80 doctors and specialists, as well as post-mortem examinations and hospital records from across the country.

Justice Othman said according to their findings, the death toll stood at 518, comprising 490 males and 28 females; among them were 21 children.

He said 505 of the victims were civilians, and 16 were members of the security forces.

“From the evidence collected, the majority of those who died were civilians caught up in the violence.” He said.

The Commission found that fatalities were concentrated in a few regions, with Dar es Salaam recording the highest number of 182 deaths, followed by Mwanza region with 90 deaths, Mbeya 80 deaths and Arusha 53 deaths.

He said that forensic analysis showed that 197 deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, while about 20 were attributed to other causes, including trauma and related injuries.

Economically, the Commission estimated total economic losses at TSh.125 billion, with the private sector being hardest hit; accounting for TSh.89 billion losses and public institutions suffering about TSh.36 billion in damage.

He named affected government agencies as schools, tax authorities, utilities, transport and security infrastructure.

The Commission also noted significant psychological and social impacts, including trauma, fear and weakened public trust in institutions and communities.

The Commission further identified key drivers behind the unrest that erupted on general election day, citing political tensions, socio-economic pressures, governance failures, weak service delivery and international dynamics.

"Political demands such as calls for a new Constitution, electoral reforms, and the establishment of an independent electoral commission were the factors behind the unrest." He said.

Other factors cited in the report include the burden of taxes and levies and an unfriendly tax system, the rising cost of living, corruption, misuse of public resources, as well as cases of abductions and enforced disappearances.

The commission found that disputes over constitutional reforms, electoral credibility and political competition were central. "Economic challenges, including the high cost of living, unemployment and tax concerns, also fuelled tensions."

Governance issues such as corruption, declining public trust and unresolved disappearance cases were highlighted, alongside poor response to citizen complaints at local government level.

The report further pointed to global geopolitical influences as an indirect factor.

"Based on extensive nationwide evidence, the commission concluded the unrest was the result of accumulated structural challenges rather than spontaneous protests."

Receiving the report, President Hassan said the report belongs to presidency and not otherwise.

"This is the President's report. The President is the one who formed the commission, so other people should not claim ownership of this report, it is the President's report. The previous commissions were being quietly suppressed, I have decided to discuss it, but the report belongs to the President." She said.