Tanzania’s 2025 general election has been overshadowed by reports of a violent crackdown on civilians, with hundreds of young people allegedly killed while protesting the results.
The BBC confirmed circulating videos of the protests using satellite imagery and on-the-ground eyewitness reports.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has verified multiple videos and satellite footage showing police officers opening fire on demonstrators, raising serious concerns about the scale of the unrest.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a reported 98% victory in the elections held on October 29, 2025.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a reported 98% victory in the elections held on October 29, 2025.
However, her win has been widely criticized for being marred by irregularities, including the barring and imprisonment of opposition candidates.
In the wake of the election, opposition parties claimed that at least 700 citizens were killed during protests in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Sinza.
The BBC confirmed circulating videos of the protests using satellite imagery and on-the-ground eyewitness reports.
The footage depicts heavily armed police officers firing at unarmed civilians, with some videos showing women and young protesters being chased and shot.
Hospitals reported being overwhelmed with injured individuals and deceased bodies, many of which were reportedly transported to undisclosed locations by authorities.
While the Tanzanian government denied any fatalities during the unrest, the BBC’s findings suggest that the actual death toll may be significant.
While the Tanzanian government denied any fatalities during the unrest, the BBC’s findings suggest that the actual death toll may be significant.
Authorities had also restricted internet access and barred international media from covering the events, limiting the flow of independent information.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes in the streets of Dar es Salaam and other cities. One source told the BBC that they witnessed individuals being shot while attempting to flee.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes in the streets of Dar es Salaam and other cities. One source told the BBC that they witnessed individuals being shot while attempting to flee.
Families reported desperately searching hospitals and police stations for missing loved ones, often without success.
“We were inside a gate and were shocked when one of our own was felled by bullets. We took them to Muhimbili, where they received treatment.
“We were inside a gate and were shocked when one of our own was felled by bullets. We took them to Muhimbili, where they received treatment.
Another left home for food but was shot and killed on the road. His body was taken by the police, and until now we do not know where it is,” the source said on condition of anonymity.
The opposition party Chadema also reported ongoing clashes and asserted that hundreds of protesters were killed in multiple regions, including Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over the situation.
The opposition party Chadema also reported ongoing clashes and asserted that hundreds of protesters were killed in multiple regions, including Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over the situation.
In an official statement on November 11, he called on the Tanzanian government to provide accurate information about the fate of missing individuals and to return the bodies of those killed for dignified burials.
“Reports of families desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another, are harrowing.
“Reports of families desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another, are harrowing.
I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing and to hand over the bodies of those killed to their loved ones,” Türk said.
He also voiced concern over reports that security forces were removing bodies from hospitals and streets to undisclosed locations, possibly to conceal evidence of mass killings.
Among the missing is John Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher reportedly shot during the unrest in Dar es Salaam.
He also voiced concern over reports that security forces were removing bodies from hospitals and streets to undisclosed locations, possibly to conceal evidence of mass killings.
Among the missing is John Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher reportedly shot during the unrest in Dar es Salaam.
Ogutu’s body was initially registered at Mwananyamala Hospital mortuary, but when relatives and friends arrived to pay their respects, the body was nowhere to be found.
The disappearance has added to the anguish and uncertainty faced by families of victims.
President Samia Suluhu has yet to provide a detailed account of the events on the ground. During her swearing-in, she described the protests as being fueled by external actors and warned that the government would not tolerate what she called “imported anarchy.”
President Samia Suluhu has yet to provide a detailed account of the events on the ground. During her swearing-in, she described the protests as being fueled by external actors and warned that the government would not tolerate what she called “imported anarchy.”
Meanwhile, state officials and police have maintained that protesters were engaging in illegal activities, framing the security response as necessary to maintain order.
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