Tanzania: Authorities Weaponize Counterterrorism Laws to Restrict Civic Space Amid Pervasive Impunity

LONDON — [AI London] Tanzanian authorities have failed to hold anyone accountable for the violence security forces inflicted on protesters, which left hundreds of people dead and thousands of others injured in the wake of the 2025 general election, Amnesty International said on the first anniversary of the crackdown. Tanzania: Authorities Weaponize Counterterrorism Laws to Restrict Civic Space Amid Pervasive Impunity Over Violent Election Crackdown – allAfrica.com Tanzania: Authorities Weaponize Counterterrorism Laws to Restrict Civic Space Amid Pervasive Impunity Over Violent Election Crackdown 28 October 2026 Amnesty International (London) Tanzanian authorities have failed to hold anyone accountable for the violence security forces inflicted on protesters, which left hundreds of people dead and thousands of others injured in the wake of the 2025 general election, Amnesty International said on the first anniversary of the crackdown. Instead of delivering justice and accountability, authorities have withheld a Commission of Inquiry report from the public and intensified attacks on civic space through the abuse of counterterrorism laws.

Not a single official has been criminally investigated, let alone prosecuted and punished for the excessive force that Tanzanian security forces used against protesters. In fact, the situation has only deteriorated since the crackdown began. In a classic tactic pulled out of the authoritarian playbook, the authorities are increasingly weaponizing counterterrorism laws to silence critics and instil fear,"Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa The organization has documented how, over the past year, security agencies have committed human rights violations with impunity against government critics, opposition supporters, media organizations, and dissenting members of the ruling party.

These include acts that may amount to torture or other ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, abductions, and severe restrictions of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a classic tactic pulled out of the authoritarian playbook, the authorities are increasingly weaponizing counterterrorism laws to silence critics and instil fear," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. Although the Commission of Inquiry report into the 2025 election-related killings was handed over to President Samia Suluhu in April 2026, it has yet to be made public.

She has repeatedly alleged that the post-election protests were funded by foreign actors in a bid to overthrow the government. In August 2026, President Suluhu inaugurated another Commission of Inquiry to identify those who planned, funded, coordinated, or executed the violence, as well as investigate the excessive use of force and the whereabouts of missing persons. "President Suluhu's continued refusal to release the Commission of Inquiry report not only entrenches a culture of secrecy, but it also perpetuates impunity," said Tigere Chagutah.

"It is imperative that this new commission comprehensively address the role of security forces in the election-related crackdown. Its investigations must be thorough, independent, impartial, and transparent.

On concluding its mandate, it must ensure its findings are made public immediately." President Suluhu's continued refusal to release the Commission of Inquiry report not only entrenches a culture of secrecy, but it also perpetuates impunity.Tigere Chagutah Between 3 and 17 September 2026, Amnesty International interviewed 17 people, including victims of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and abductions, as well as journalists, opposition officials, lawyers, and friends and relatives of the victims of the October 2025 election-related crackdown. Amnesty International also verified charge sheets for those arbitrarily arrested and charged with terrorism in different parts of the country.

Tanzanian authorities did not respond to Amnesty's request for comment. Abductions, enforced disappearances and torture or other ill-treatment Amnesty International documented many cases of individuals being abducted by suspected state security officers, held incommunicado, and later charged in court.

Some of them remain missing. Among them is Ibrahim Myovella, a youth leader from the opposition party CHADEMA.

He went missing alongside two friends on 18 April 2026, after reporting to Central Iringa police station as per their bail conditions following allegations of involvement in the October 2025 protests. The authorities deny ever holding them.

Also missing is Mashaka Nestory Kindikwa, 37, a former official of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) who was abducted from his home and led away blindfolded by seven men believed to be security officers on 25 June 2026. The police have denied holding him.

On 20 May 2026, David Djumbe, personal assistant to opposition leader Tundu Lissu, was abducted near his Dar es Salaam home by people believed to be state security officers and subjected to severe beatings which may amount to torture or other ill-treatment. Police denied involvement and said they had opened an investigation, but there has been no update on progress or findings.

Stefano Patrick*, 26, who expressed support for protests on Saba Saba Day, a national public holiday commemorating the pivotal moment in Tanzania's struggle for independence, was arbitrarily arrested on 24 July in Dar es Salaam, and detained for 47 days without being charged in court. He told Amnesty International that during his detention, he was tortured and beaten, while also denied food and water.

He said his interrogators demanded to know who was funding the protests: "I was blindfolded… But I could hear some people crying in the next room.