By John Mutiso
The Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a formal response to statements from multiple Western governments and international organizations regarding events that occurred on October 29, 2025.Â
In a statement dated December 5, 2025, the government acknowledged receiving remarks from over a dozen development partners and diplomatic missions, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union Delegation, Finland, France, Ghana, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States of America, and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
The ministry expressed concern about the content of these international statements, despite what it described as candid discussions between Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tanzania during a meeting held on November 28, 2025.
While recognizing the international community’s role in supporting democracy and socio-political progress in the country, Tanzania emphasized the importance of acknowledging the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry tasked with investigating post-election violence and producing a comprehensive report.
“The findings of the report will bring about understanding of the unfortunate events that occurred and form the basis for future constructive engagement,” the statement noted.
The government reaffirmed its dedication to constructive international cooperation aimed at peace and development, while respectfully urging all stakeholders to allow national mechanisms to implement government-led steps and measures.
Tanzania also sought to reassure the international community and development partners of its willingness and commitment to maintain engagement on all matters of mutual interest as equal partners.
The government’s response follows a joint statement issued on Friday by diplomatic missions in Tanzania, including the British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, and embassies from Norway, Switzerland, and several European nations, as well as the European Union Delegation.
Those missions had expressed deep regret over reported deaths and injuries following recent elections and called for accountability and transparency. They urged security forces to exercise maximum restraint, recalling the government’s stated commitment to peace and stability.
The diplomatic missions had highlighted credible reports from domestic and international organizations indicating serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and concealment of bodies.
The joint statement demanded the immediate release of all bodies to families, freedom for political prisoners, and provision of legal and medical support for detainees.
The missions also called on authorities to address recommendations from the African Union and Southern African Development Community observer missions, which identified major shortcomings in the electoral process.
