Hundreds in Tanzania Charged With Treason Following Deadly Election Protests

Author: Vera Rousseff

November 12, 2025

HRRC strongly condemns the human rights abuses perpetrated by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. As demonstrated by the violent protests surrounding last month’s disputed elections, the government has an obligation to meet Tanzanian citizens’ demands for democratic processes in their country.

People protest in the streets of Arusha, Tanzania, during the elections on October 29, 2025. [Image credit: AP Photo]

Over the weekend, hundreds of people in Tanzania were charged with treason as the country reels from political violence surrounding last month’s election. The East African country, which has long had a reputation of peace and stability, has grappled with deadly riots following the disputed general elections that took place on October 29.

The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, allegedly won the elections with 98% of the vote, following days of violent protests and months of repressive actions from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. In the lead-up to the election, human rights groups such as Amnesty International raised concerns over enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture, and even unlawful killings.

On the day of the election, protesters set fire to government buildings and tore down banners of Samia as police fired tear gas and live ammunition. Many were outraged by the electoral commission’s decision to ban the two main opposition parties, Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, from participating in the elections. The protests were largely led by the country’s youth, reflecting recent Gen Z protests that have toppled governments around the world, including in Nepal and Madagascar.

Following the elections, the African Union (AU) released a statement concluding that the Tanzanian government did not comply with standards for democratic elections and calling for “urgent constitutional reforms and inclusive politics.” 

Chadema has claimed that over 1,000 people were killed in the election protests and has further accused the security forces of secretly disposing of the bodies in order to reduce the official death toll. It is the worst election violence the country has seen in decades, and although the unrest is surprising for a country that has come to be known for stability, it comes after months of simmering political tensions, human rights abuses, and stalled progress.

President Samia enjoyed broad support when she first became president in 2021—the first woman in Tanzania to serve in the position. Promoting a "4R" agenda of reconciliation, resilience, rebuilding and reform, she was celebrated for advancing political freedom in the country, which for decades has been in the tight grip of the post-colonial CCM party. However, in the years since she has assumed power, Samia has slowly eroded the same freedoms she had promised to protect.

On Monday, November 3, Samia was officially sworn in for her second term as president, just days after the violent protests that rocked her country and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of young Tanzanians. 

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Glossary

• African Union (AU): a regional organization of African countries that works together on political, economic, and social issues across the continent.

• Allegedly: claimed to be true, but not proven or confirmed.

• Amnesty International: a global human rights organization that works to stop abuses such as torture, unfair arrests, and violence.

• Arbitrary arrests: when people are taken by the police or government without legal reasons or fair procedures.

• Constitutional reforms: changes made to a country’s fundamental laws or political system.

• Disputed elections: elections where the results are questioned because they may have been unfair or manipulated.

• Electoral commission: the official group responsible for running elections and counting votes.

• Enforced disappearances: when people are secretly taken away by police or military, and the government denies involvement or refuses to say where they are.

• Gen Z: a generation of people born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.

• Incumbent: a person who currently holds a political office.

• Live ammunition: real bullets, not rubber bullets or warning shots.

• Opposition parties: political groups that challenge or disagree with the ruling government or party.

• Perpetrated: carried out or committed, usually referring to harmful or illegal actions.

• Political violence: violence used to influence or control political power.

• Protesters: people who gather to show disagreement with a policy, decision, or government.

• Repressive actions: actions taken by a government to restrict people's freedoms, especially speech, protest, or political organization.

• Stability: a condition where a country is peaceful, steady, and not experiencing major conflict or crisis.

• Treason: a serious crime where someone is accused of acting against their own government.