A recently released report from a presidential commission of inquiry has detailed a grim toll following Tanzania's October 2025 General Election, stating that 518 individuals lost their lives amidst the ensuing disturbances. The commission, led by retired Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, presented its findings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, characterizing the events not as peaceful protests but as "orchestrated" and "unlawful" actions.
The bulk of the fatalities, amounting to 518, were attributed to gunshots, with investigators noting that a significant number of victims likely died instantly or very soon after injury. A smaller number, six individuals, sustained burn-related injuries. The report further detailed that the deceased were overwhelmingly male, with 490 males (94.6 percent) and 28 females (5.4 percent) recorded among the dead.
Beyond the fatalities, the violence resulted in more than 2,000 injuries, a figure that includes at least 120 security officers. Investigators reported finding no evidence of torture among the injured. The commission based its conclusions on a variety of sources, including interviews with victims, security agencies, medical professionals, and an examination of official documentation.
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The report warns that persistent, unresolved political and socio-economic tensions continue to present risks to the nation's stability and its economic progress. Opposition parties and rights groups had previously leveled accusations against security forces, alleging a harsh suppression of anti-government demonstrators. This official count represents the first time authorities have provided a confirmed death toll for the period. Justice Othman indicated that the violence stemmed from a confluence of factors, some with roots extending back many years.
