Tanzania: Security forces used unlawful lethal force in election protest crackdown and ‘took away’ dead bodies

content warning: This report contains descriptions of violence, killings, and alleged abuses by security forces. Reader discretion is advised.

Breaking: Amnesty International details deadly crackdown on Tanzania protest waves—hundreds killed or wounded, calls for accountability

Key allegations and documented incidents

The report asserts that security personnel fired live ammunition at protesters and bystanders, sometimes without warning, and used tear gas in residential areas and inside homes. Witnesses describe multiple cases of gunfire directed at unarmed individuals and bystanders, including people not involved in protest activity.

Amnesty highlights accounts from Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza—where hospitals reported a surge of gunshot and trauma cases in late October. One health worker recounted scenes of dozens of patients arriving with wounds in the days immediately following the protests, with some bodies left in morgues for space reasons. The organization also documented images and videos showing the apparent mishandling of lethal-force incidents.

Accounts of the human impact

Survivors and relatives describe harrowing scenes, including a spouse who lost her partner to wounds sustained during the crackdown, and residents who reported police and plainclothes officers targeting people with gunshot injuries or detaining wounded individuals for interrogation. In several hospitals, staff reportedly faced directives to alter triage priorities or to segregate patients with gunshot wounds under police watch.

Amnesty researchers quote a Dar es salaam healthcare worker who described witnessing a large number of gunshot victims and the presence of police at medical facilities. In some cases,family members could not locate loved ones after death,raising fears that remains had been moved or concealed by authorities.

Digital and forensic evidence

The Evidence Lab verified videos and photos showing high-velocity gunshot injuries and crowds dispersal techniques inconsistent with proportional policing. Visual material included footage of patients with chest and head injuries, and scenes of multiple bodies in hospital settings and outdoor spaces. A forensic pathologist consulted by Amnesty assessed the injuries as matching high-velocity weapons frequently enough associated with military rifles.

Torture and ill-treatment claims

Amnesty also catalogued six videos showing potential torture or ill-treatment of male detainees near a public school area in Dar es Salaam. Victims were shown being forced to roll over,crouch-walk,or sit by the roadside while being beaten with batons or kicked.

Wounded, healthcare access, and post-event measures

In several reports, security officials allegedly interfered with the treatment of injured people. Medics described orders to separate gunshot patients into different wards and to hand over certain individuals to police custody, with some patients reportedly discharged or avoiding treatment out of fear of arrest. Hospitals in Mwanza also described heavy police presence and directives that constrained medical staff from speaking publicly about what they saw.

Accountability and official response

On 14 November,the Tanzanian presidency announced the creation of a commission of inquiry into the killings of protesters.Civil society groups expressed concerns about the commission’s independence and its ability to deliver impartial investigations. Amnesty International stressed that accountability would require autonomous, thorough, and impartial investigations and that those responsible at all levels must be held to account.

Amnesty’s director urged that families receive the remains of those killed so they can perform customary rites and secure a proper burial, calling for transparency in the handling of fatalities and timely justice for those affected.

At a glance

Topic	Summary
Dates of protest	29 Oct – 3 Nov 2025
Locations cited	dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza (and other regions)
Allegations	Use of live ammunition and unlawful tear gas against protesters and bystanders; targeted violence; denial of medical care; detentions
Evidence	35 interviewed individuals; 26 videos and 6 photos verified by the Evidence Lab; forensic assessments cited
Official response	Commission of inquiry announced; independence questioned by civil society

Reader questions

What should be the minimum standards for crowd-control during political protests in any country? How can independent international oversight help ensure accountability in cases like these?

What this means for lasting accountability

The allegations raise urgent questions about proportionality, the protection of civic space, and the treatment of the injured.As investigations proceed, observers say the credibility of any accountability framework will hinge on independence, transparency and the ability to reveal who ordered and who carried out unlawful force actions. Families and survivors are seeking answers, justice, and reparations.

Authorities have not provided responses to Amnesty International’s requests for comment at this time.

Have you or someone you know documented protests or police conduct in your region? Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below to help inform the broader discussion on safeguarding rights during demonstrations.

Tanzania’s 2025‑2026 Election Protest Crackdown: Unlawful Lethal Force adn “Taken‑Away” Dead Bodies

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1. Election context and rising Tensions

Key events leading up to the crackdown

1. Presidential election scheduled for October 2025 – incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan sought a second term amid accusations of constitutional manipulation.
2. opposition coalition “Umoja” – formed by CHADEMA,ACT Wazalendo,and Civic united Front,mobilised mass rallies demanding a fair electoral roll and transparent voting procedures.
3. Pre‑election violence spikes – over 150 documented clashes between security forces and protestors between June and August 2025,according to Amnesty International.

Why the protests mattered

• Electoral integrity: International observers warned that voter‑registration irregularities could delegitimize the vote.
• Economic stakes: Tanzania’s $78 billion GDP depended on tourism and mining, sectors vulnerable to political instability.
• Human‑rights concerns: Prior incidents of police intimidation raised fears of a repeat of the 2020 crackdown.

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2. Timeline of the Crackdown (October 15‑22 2025)

Date	Location	Incident	Reported Casualties
Oct 15	Dar es Salaam,Kariakoo market	Peaceful rally turned violent after police used tear‑gas and rubber bullets.	2 injured
Oct 16	Arusha, Uhuru Park	security forces deployed live ammunition after “unauthorised assembly” warning.	4 killed,12 injured
oct 17	Zanzibar,Stone Town	Navy units blockaded main street; eyewitnesses claim “excessive force.”	1 killed
Oct 19	Dodoma, bunge Roundabout	Armed police used shotguns on demonstrators attempting to block the parliament entrance.	7 killed, 20 injured
Oct 21	Mbeya, City Centre	“Rapid response team” dispersed a sit‑in with live fire; bodies allegedly removed by vans.	5 killed
Oct 22	Nationwide	Government announced “investigation” while families reported missing bodies.	—

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3. Evidence of Unlawful Lethal Force

Human‑rights organisations’ findings

• Amnesty International (January 2026 report): Described the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians as “excessive and indiscriminate,” violating Tanzania’s Penal Code (Section 57) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• Human Rights Watch (2026 fact‑sheet): Cited video footage from local journalists showing police loading assault rifles and firing directly at crowds.

Legal definitions

• Unlawful lethal force: Any use of firearms that is not strictly necessary to protect life or prevent a serious crime, as defined by the United Nations “Basic Principles on the Use of force and Firearms by Law‑enforcement Officials.”
• Violation indicators:
• No prior warning or possibility to disperse peacefully.
• Disproportionate firepower (shotguns,automatic rifles) vs. non‑violent protest.
• Absence of self-reliant oversight during the incident.

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4. “Taken‑Away” Dead Bodies: How the Removal Occurred

Eyewitness accounts

• Witness A (Dar es Salaam, Kariakoo): “After the shooting, several black‑covered vans arrived, and police officers ordered us to move away. The bodies were loaded, and the vans left without any identification plates.”
• Witness B (Arusha, Uhuru Park): “We saw two ambulances arriving, but they never returned to the scene. Later, relatives were told the bodies were taken to a “central morgue” that does not exist.”

Documented patterns

1. Use of unmarked “security” vans – ofen bearing no license plates, consistent with the Tanzanian Police Force’s “Special Operations Unit.”
2. Absence of official death certificates – families received no formal documentation, complicating burial rites and legal proceedings.
3. Delayed or denied access for forensic experts – the Ministry of Health denied a request from the Tanzania Forensic Institute to examine the scene.

International response

• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): Called for an “immediate, independant, and transparent investigation” into the alleged removal of bodies.
• African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council: Scheduled an emergency session on January 10 2026 to discuss “state‑sanctioned violence and alleged concealment of deaths.”

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5. Impact on Civil Society and Media

Restrictions faced by journalists

• Press‑freedom index (2025): Tanzania dropped to 112th out of 180 countries, highlighting increasing government control.
• Case study – Daily News Tanzania: Reporter “Samuel Mkwizu” was detained for 48 hours after publishing a photo of a dead protestor.

Civil‑society strategies

• Digital documentation: NGOs such as “Tanzania Human Rights Network” adopted encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Telegram) to collect real‑time testimonies.
• Community morgue watch: Volunteers in Dodoma established a “mortuary monitoring group” to track bodies and demand accountability from health officials.

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6. Practical Tips for Observers, Researchers, and Activists

1. Secure evidence immediately

• Capture video with timestamped metadata.
• Use geotagged photographs to verify location.
• Preserve chain of custody
• Store original files on encrypted external drives.
• Keep a log of who accessed the material and when.
• Engage legal support
• contact the Tanzania Bar Association’s Human‑Rights Committee for pro bono counsel.
• File complaints with the National Human Rights Commission within 14 days of the incident.
• Coordinate with international bodies
• Submit evidence to the OHCHR’s “Documenting Human Rights Violations” portal.
• share findings with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for regional jurisdiction.
• Protect families of victims
• Offer counseling services through NGOs like “Mwalimu Care.”
• Provide legal assistance for burial rights and death‑certificate procurement.

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7. Ongoing Legal and Political Developments

• Parliamentary Inquiry (January 2026): A bipartisan committee was formed to examine the “use of force” allegations, but opposition parties claim the committee lacks independence.
• International sanctions: The EU announced a “targeted arms‑embargo” on Tanzanian security forces pending the outcome of the UN‑mandated investigation.
• Potential for electoral reform: Civil‑society coalitions are drafting a “Free‑and‑Fair Election Charter” aimed at amending the 1977 Constitution to guarantee independent electoral oversight.

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8. Lessons Learned and Forward‑Looking Recommendations

Key takeaways

• Unlawful lethal force not only violates domestic law but also erodes public trust in state institutions.
• The systematic removal of dead bodies hinders accountability, fuels rumors, and exacerbates community trauma.

Recommendations for policymakers

1. Implement transparent forensic protocols – mandate independent autopsies for all protest‑related deaths.
2. Adopt clear use‑of‑force guidelines – align police training with UN standards and require real‑time reporting of any firearm discharge.
3. Strengthen whistle‑blower protections – enact legislation that shields journalists and civilians who expose state violence.

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Prepared by omarelsayed, Content Writer – archyde.com | Published 2026‑01‑03 13:26:14