More than 500 killed in Tanzania election violence

April 23, 2026 / 7:40 PM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: A government-appointed commission in Tanzania has said at least 518 people were killed during last year’s election-related violence, far below opposition and international estimates.

Disputed toll and election unrest

The violence followed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s landslide victory in the October 29 election, which opposition figures said was neither free nor fair after key candidates were barred from running.

Opposition rejects findings

Opposition groups rejected the report, accusing the government of downplaying the scale of killings, with some estimates suggesting thousands were killed during the protests and subsequent crackdown.

Commission findings and controversy

The commission said 518 deaths and 2,390 injuries were recorded but described the figure as “not final,” while also suggesting some reports of mass graves could not be verified and questioning the authenticity of some online footage.

Ongoing political and international concerns

Rights groups and observers have previously raised concerns over excessive use of force, media restrictions, and internet blackouts during the unrest, while the government maintains the violence was organised and misrepresented.