By John Mutiso
The United States Senate Foreign Affairs Committee has called for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations in Tanzania following the disputed October elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 25, the committee expressed grave concern over evidence of excessive force used against protesters and called for immediate accountability.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has intensified pressure on Tanzania’s government following a detailed CNN investigation that uncovered disturbing evidence of alleged extrajudicial killings and mass graves in the aftermath of the country’s disputed October 29 presidential election.
In a strongly-worded statement posted on social media, the committee condemned what it described as ‘disturbing actions by the Tanzanian Government to suppress protesters,’ noting that the evidence points to serious human rights violations that demand immediate scrutiny.
“This report underscores the disturbing actions by the Tanzanian Government to suppress protesters. Evidence of mass graves show an unacceptable attempt to cover-up gross violations of human rights,” the committee stated.
“There must be an independent investigation into these tragic acts immediately,” the committee added.
Insisting, “The committee’s call reflects growing international concern that the scale of the violence may have been significantly underreported.”
The committee’s intervention comes after CNN released an extensive investigative report documenting allegations of deadly force used against largely unarmed demonstrators who took to the streets following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s re-election victory.
Hassan claimed a landslide win with 98% of the vote after disqualifying her main rivals from the race.
The CNN investigation, which combined video evidence, forensic analysis, and eyewitness accounts, paints a grim picture of the post-election crackdown. According to the report, police and armed patrols opened fire on groups of protesters, many of whom were unarmed or carrying only rocks and sticks.
Video footage verified by CNN shows morgues in multiple locations overflowing with bodies. In Mwanza, geolocated images revealed at least 10 bodies stacked on a stretcher outside a hospital. An anonymous doctor who treated gunshot victims over four days told CNN that police brought bodies to the morgue until it reached capacity, after which they allegedly “piled” bodies outside the facility.
The investigation detailed several specific violent encounters. In Arusha, forensic analysis of video footage documented the fatal shooting of two protesters who appeared to pose no threat. One victim was a pregnant woman who was shot in the back while running away from a police position. Another was a young man who was shot in the head.
President Hassan announced the formation of a commission to investigate the unrest, though she also suggested that some protesters had been paid to participate in the demonstrations.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissed CNN’s investigation as a ‘biased report’ designed to ‘mislead and incite,’ accusing the news organization of failing to allow Tanzanian authorities to respond. However, CNN stated it had sent detailed questions to Msigwa, the police, and the health ministry but received no responses.
“If they want to find us, we’re available. We’ll answer their questions. We’re not blocking them from doing their job. But they should do it professionally and fairly,” Msigwa said, adding that the commission of inquiry was in process.
The Tanzanian government has formally acknowledged the CNN documentary and stated it is reviewing its contents, promising an official response upon completion of its assessment.
