Tanzania inaugurated a six-member Presidential Commission of Inquiry in Dar es Salaam on August 7, 2026, to conduct deep criminal investigations into the violence surrounding the October 2025 general election. The panel includes regional judicial figures and aims to identify specific perpetrators for prosecution.
Months after preliminary investigations revealed widespread casualties during the country’s electoral unrest, the Tanzanian government has formally launched a specialized panel to pursue individual criminal accountability. The newly inaugurated body, chaired by a retired appellate judge, marks a distinct shift from broader fact-finding efforts toward building prosecutable cases against those who instigated, coordinated, or funded the violence.
Justice Shaban Ali Lila Leads Six-Member Panel Backed by Regional Expertise
The newly formed commission is led by Justice Shaban Ali Lila, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania. He is joined on the domestic front by three retired Tanzanian High Court justices: Justice Gad John Mjemmas, Justice Awadh Mohamed Bawazir, and Justice Aishieli Nelson Sumari.
In a departure from standard domestic inquiries, the government included senior judicial figures from other African nations to obtain a broader perspective. The international members include Justice Petrus Tilainge Damaseb, Deputy Chief Justice of the High Court of Namibia, and Justice Barishaki Cheborioni of the Court of Appeal of Uganda, who brings prior experience investigating sensitive human rights violations. Paul Kadushi heads the six-person secretariat supporting the panel.
Transitioning From the Chande Commission’s Fact-Finding to Criminal Indication
The launch ceremony at State House in Dar es Salaam on Friday, August 7, followed the recommendations of an initial inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman. That earlier fact-finding body concluded its 153-day investigation on April 23, 2026, documenting approximately 518 deaths from unnatural causes across 11 regions, but deferred direct criminal identification to a specialized body.
While the Chande Commission focused on systemic causes, political triggers, and overall social impact, the newly launched Lila Commission is mandated to conduct a more in-depth investigation into specific matters identified by Justice Othman’s commission, according to Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka. This encompasses investigating specific criminal acts such as looting, the deaths of children, and claims of missing bodies and abductions.
“This commission will delve deeper to find out exactly who instigated, who was involved, and who provided funds for those things to happen in our country.”
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, via Thechanzo
Public Cooperation and Transparency Concerns Amid Previous Restraints
During the inauguration, President Samia Suluhu Hassan called on Tanzanians to cooperate fully with the inquiry by providing relevant information and allowing the panel to operate independently. The President stressed that public support is essential for establishing the truth regarding the unrest surrounding the October 2025 general elections.
However, international human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding transparency. Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Flavia Mwangovya, criticized authorities for withholding the full Chande Commission report from the public, calling it a blow to accountability. Human Rights Watch similarly noted that while the initial inquiry documented extensive casualties, it did not thoroughly assess the lawfulness of security forces’ conduct during the nationwide protests and internet shutdown.
Timeline, Mandate, and Remaining Unanswered Questions
The commission has been allocated 150 days, or approximately five months, to complete its work and submit an official report. President Samia indicated that an extension would be considered if requested to ensure a comprehensive probe.
The panel is expected to draw upon the extensive groundwork laid by its predecessor, which included face-to-face interviews with 1,323 victims, written affidavits from 953 individuals, and forensic examinations of media evidence. Whether the forthcoming criminal findings will be made public or directly address the alleged conduct of security forces remains uncertain as the five-month investigation gets underway.
