The African Union (AU) has declared that Tanzania’s general election held on October 29 fell short of democratic standards, citing widespread irregularities, media suppression and acts of violence.
In its preliminary report, the AU observer mission said the election was ‘not conducted in an environment conducive to free and fair participation’, highlighting ballot-stuffing, the presence of armed security forces at polling stations, and an internet blackout that obstructed communication and transparency.
The AU deployed 72 observers across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Their findings, published in Addis Ababa, concluded that the process ‘did not comply with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.’
Opposition barred, protests met with violence
The mission’s report notes that the political atmosphere was distorted well before polling day. Major opposition parties, including CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo, were barred from participation on what observers described as technical pretexts. CHADEMA was disqualified in April for refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, while ACT-Wazalendo was excluded following a legal objection from the Attorney-General.
With President Samia Suluhu Hassan securing a near-98 per cent victory, critics questioned whether the outcome reflected the will of the people.
Public protests erupted in Dar es Salaam and other cities soon after results were announced. Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds at demonstrators, leaving dozens injured and several dead. Videos reviewed by AU monitors and independent media showed victims with gunshot wounds to the head.
SADC adds regional weight to criticism
Echoing the AU’s findings, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observer mission said the vote ‘fell short of regional democratic norms’. Its statement cited ‘general intimidation of voters and opposition figures’ and urged the government to review the legal framework governing elections.
Such rare public condemnation from SADC — a bloc traditionally cautious in criticising member states — underscores the regional concern over Tanzania’s democratic trajectory.
Digital blackout deepens mistrust
The AU’s mission described the state-ordered internet shutdown on polling day as one of the most serious breaches of democratic rights. Platforms including WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook were inaccessible, silencing independent election observers and the media.
The blackout not only hindered voter communication but also obscured evidence of electoral fraud and violence. Civil-society groups said the shutdown reflected the government’s increasing control over information flows.
Pattern of repression predates the vote
The AU also flagged a ‘pattern of intimidation and impunity’ in Tanzania’s political landscape since 2019. Human-rights monitors have recorded more than 200 enforced disappearances, cases of torture and extrajudicial killings targeting journalists and activists.
Observers noted that this climate of fear carried into the 2025 polls, discouraging citizens from participating freely. The mission urged authorities to investigate reports of abductions and political violence and to create mechanisms to protect opposition supporters.
Calls for accountability and reform
In its recommendations, the AU urged the Tanzanian government to undertake comprehensive electoral reforms and align future polls with continental democratic standards. The mission also called for an independent inquiry into the conduct of security forces during and after the vote.
SADC proposed similar steps, including reopening political space, repealing restrictive media laws, and engaging opposition leaders in dialogue to rebuild public confidence.
President Hassan, however, has dismissed criticism as foreign interference, arguing that her re-election reflected national unity and continuity. Yet the AU’s findings have placed pressure on her administration to address mounting international concern.
International implications
Diplomatic analysts warn that Tanzania’s credibility could suffer if the government fails to act on the AU’s recommendations. Donor partners are reportedly reviewing aid programmes tied to governance benchmarks, while rights groups are urging sanctions on officials implicated in abuses.
For Tanzania’s neighbours, the controversy serves as a test of regional commitment to democracy. As one AU observer noted: ‘If elections of this nature go unchecked, the entire region risks sliding back into authoritarian habits.’
