Tanzania: One year after election violence, the country remains tense

One year after violence followed Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 presidential election, the Catholic Church held memorial masses in Dar es Salaam for those killed in the crackdown on post-election protests. A government-appointed commission reports 518 deaths, while the opposition and human rights groups cite several thousand victims. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was reelected with 98% of the vote in a poll that excluded much of the opposition. Chadema declared seven days of mourning, and opposition figure Tundu Lissu’s treason trial, with a verdict expected on November 6, is adding to tensions.