Tanzania's main opposition party, CHADEMA, has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations (UN) to urgently investigate reports of mass killings of civilians by government forces following last week's disputed elections.
Reports indicate that more than 700 people have been killed since protests erupted on Wednesday, after demonstrators took to the streets to contest the exclusion of key candidates from the polls in which President Samia Suluhu was declared the winner.
In a statement on Sunday, CHADEMA accused the Tanzanian government of using “unnecessary and excessive force” against peaceful protesters, citing verified images showing bodies on the streets, hospitals overwhelmed with casualties, and reports of police officers allegedly removing corpses “to conceal evidence.”
"We strongly condemn the unnecessary use of force by the security organs of Tanzania against demonstrators who chose to exercise their constitutional and legal right to peacefully protest against the illegal exercise of the so-called elections," said CHADEMA.
Unreasonable use of force
"We call upon the security organs to immediately stop the excessive and unreasonable use of force against citizens who are peacefully demonstrating."
The party also appealed to the ICC and UN to launch an independent probe and hold those responsible accountable.
"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," it said.
CHADEMA further called for the immediate restoration of internet services in Tanzania, warning that the blackout has disrupted communication, hindered access to emergency care, and made it difficult to verify unfolding events.
"We call upon the government to immediately restore internet services to facilitate citizens' communication and enable the provision of other social services more easily," it said.
Not 'Our' President
Meanwhile, CHADEMA has since denounced Samia Suluhu Hassan as president, calling her so-called win in the October 29, 2025, election illegitimate and failing to reflect the will of Tanzanians.
In a statement on Saturday, the party urged the international community not to recognise Samia’s victory, citing widespread electoral fraud, intimidation of opposition parties and a political environment that was neither free nor fair.
“CHADEMA strongly rejects the so-called election results announced by the National Electoral Commission. These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania,” the party said.
It argued that citizens did not participate in the elections due to an environment that was neither free nor fair, and because of the absence of a level political playing field.
CHADEMA accused the Electoral Commission of releasing “completely fabricated” results that reflected “the malicious intent of Samia Suluhu Hassan and her party to rig the election, an act which they have succeeded.”
“CHADEMA has repeatedly stated its position of 'No Reforms, No Election'. We warned clearly that without genuine electoral reforms and political laws, this election could not be free, fair, or credible,” it said.
It described the election results as a coup against the Tanzanian people, asserting that citizens were denied their democratic right to choose their leader.
The party further declared that it “does not recognise Samia Suluhu Hassan as the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as she has not been elected by the people of Tanzania,” and urged the international community to follow suit.
