17 Western envoys condemn Tanzania's post-election violence, demand release of bodies, prisoners

Tanzania is facing its fiercest international censure in years after 17 Western diplomatic missions issued a sharply worded joint statement condemning alleged human rights abuses following the country’s disputed general election.

The statement, signed by the European Union Delegation and high commissions and embassies representing the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden paints a picture of the aftermath of the election, citing credible reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the concealment of bodies.

The envoys say they “deeply regret the tragic loss of lives and numerous injuries” documented since the polls.

Their statement recalls earlier warnings from the EU and foreign ministers of Canada, Norway, and the UK, adding to the mounting scrutiny of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s re-election and the violent crackdown that followed.

Joint statement on recent events in Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/pW2L604uLG

— Canada in Tanzania (@CanadaTanzania) December 5, 2025

They have however demanded that authorities immediately release the bodies of those killed during the protests to their families, ensure access to medical and legal support for detainees, and free all political prisoners.

The missions further urged the government to act on recommendations issued by the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), both of which flagged significant “shortcomings in the electoral process.”

The joint statement called out the widening gap between Tanzania’s commitment to democratic norms and the reality captured by domestic rights groups, election observers, and victims’ families.

The allegations of concealed corpses, described by envoys as a “deeply disturbing practice,” have triggered global outrage.

Despite the severity of the accusations, the envoys emphasised that their intention is not to escalate tensions but to support “peace, stability, and constitutional freedoms” in Tanzania.

They welcomed the government’s stated willingness to examine the causes of the violence but insisted any inquiry must be independent, transparent, and inclusive, involving civil society, faith-based groups, and political actors.