Canada, Norway, and UK urge Tanzania to uphold rights after deadly protests
By Ascah Mwango, November 1, 2025The governments of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom have jointly expressed grave concern over escalating violence in Tanzania following the country’s disputed national elections held on October 29, 2025.
In a joint statement released by the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam on Friday, October 31, 2025, the three foreign ministers said they were deeply troubled by credible reports of widespread fatalities and significant injuries caused by the security response to protests that erupted soon after the polls closed.
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“We urge the authorities, as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression,” the statement read.
The ministers also voiced concern over what they described as a “pattern of intimidation and harassment” against opposition figures, journalists, and members of civil society in the lead-up to the vote.
“We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life,” the statement added.
Deadly protests
Tanzania has been gripped by unrest since the elections began on October 29, 2025, and after the electoral commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of a second term amid claims of vote rigging, irregularities, and voter suppression.
Opposition parties, led by Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) and ACT-Wazalendo, have rejected the results, describing the polls as neither free nor fair.
Protests broke out in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar shortly after the announcement, with demonstrators demanding transparency in vote tallying and justice for opposition supporters detained before and during the election.
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Human rights groups and independent observers have reported violent confrontations between protesters and security officers, with numerous eyewitness accounts describing the use of live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds.
The Tanzanian government has responded with a sweeping crackdown, deploying the military in major cities, imposing curfews, and restricting internet access across several regions. Reports indicate that dozens of opposition leaders and activists have been arrested, while several media houses have faced censorship or suspension over their coverage of the protests.
Local human rights organisations, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), have raised alarm over what they term a coordinated assault on democratic freedoms.
They report that many of those injured during the protests are being treated discreetly due to fears of arrest, as police continue to conduct night raids in some opposition strongholds.
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The United Nations has joined calls for restraint and accountability. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had verified at least 10 deaths linked to the protests, describing the killings as deeply worrying.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concern over the situation, urging the Tanzanian government to respect human rights and ensure that all grievances related to the electoral process are resolved through peaceful dialogue and legal means.
The African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) have similarly called for calm, with both regional bodies encouraging political leaders to put the interests of the nation first and avoid actions that could destabilise the country further.