The Independent Commission of Inquiry formed to examine the unrest that broke out during and after the October 29 General Elections has officially begun its work and is urging citizens to step forward with information that could help establish what happened.
The Commission is chaired by the respected former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mohamed Chande Othman. He is widely recognized internationally for his work with UN criminal tribunals, including in Cambodia, East Timor, and Rwanda, and for his role as an expert with the UN Human Rights Council on conflicts in Israel-Lebanon and Southern Sudan. His extensive experience in international law and human rights investigations brings credibility and depth to the Commission’s work.
He reminded the public that the success of the inquiry depends heavily on the cooperation of ordinary Tanzanians.
“We emphasise the importance of all citizens with relevant information, as outlined in the Commission’s mandate, to come forward. This will enable the Commission to provide clear answers about what transpired on October 29 this year,” he said.
The Commission was established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on November 19 this year, following widespread concern over the tensions and violence reported after the polls. President Hassan appointed eight members, all Tanzanian experts in fields such as law, security, governance, and human rights.
The unrest erupted after the general elections, which drew criticism from opposition groups and civil society organisations who questioned the credibility of the process and raised concerns about restrictions on political participation. Demonstrations in several regions led to clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in injuries, arrests, and significant public anxiety.
Human rights groups and international observers also expressed concern about reports of excessive force, communication disruptions, and limitations on freedoms around the election period. These concerns contributed to calls for a transparent investigation—one of the key reasons President Hassan moved to form the Commission.
The Commission’s mandate includes identifying the causes of the unrest, determining who was involved, assessing the damage, and providing recommendations aimed at strengthening peace, security, and national unity.
As the inquiry begins, the Commission has stressed that gathering accurate accounts from citizens will be essential to producing a clear and credible report.
