Wayne Lumbasi
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces international scrutiny after human rights organisations petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged post-election violence following the country’s October 29, 2025, general elections.
The elections, which officially declared Suluhu the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote, sparked widespread protests and violent crackdowns across the country.
A coalition of legal and human rights groups, including the World Jurists Association and Madrid Bar Association, formally submitted a petition to the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor, alleging widespread “state-engineered” violence.
The petition accuses security forces of mass killings, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and the displacement of communities. According to the petition, these acts were part of a systematic campaign involving high-ranking officials, including President Suluhu Hassan herself.
Rights organisations claim that up to 3,000 civilians were killed during post-election unrest and that mass graves may have been used to conceal the scale of the violence.
Reports suggest that the abuses extended beyond protestors to civilians, including children, medical workers, and other non-combatants. Many families reportedly have not received information about missing loved ones, and communication blackouts reportedly complicated independent verification efforts.
In response, the Tanzanian government announced the formation of a domestic inquiry commission to investigate the deaths. President Suluhu offered condolences to victims’ families and called for national healing, promising reforms to prevent future unrest. However, opposition parties and civil society groups have rejected domestic measures, demanding instead an independent international investigation.
If the ICC prosecutor accepts the petition and opens a formal investigation, senior government officials could be investigated or potentially indicted for crimes against humanity. Such a move would bring international attention and pressure for accountability while providing a potential path to justice for victims. Experts note that the ICC requires substantial evidence, including verified testimonies and forensic data, before proceeding with any charges.
The petition to the ICC highlights ongoing concerns about governance, human rights, and electoral integrity in Tanzania. Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the world’s top international court will take up the case and what implications it could have for Tanzania’s political landscape and international relations.
NEWS IN TANZANIA’S ELECTIONS
AFRICAN UNION: TANZANIA ELECTIONS IMPLAUSIBLE & LACKED DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY
TANZANIA’S OPPOSITION CHALLENGES HASSAN’S ELECTION VICTORY AMID RISING TENSION
CENSORSHIP, INTIMIDATION, AND FEAR: THE NEW FACE OF TANZANIAN DEMOCRACY
