DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – December 5, 2025 – A coalition of 16 Western nations and the European Union Delegation has issued a blistering joint statement condemning the Tanzanian government’s handling of security and human rights in the wake of the recent general elections, demanding an immediate end to alleged abuses and the urgent release of bodies to grieving families.
The statement, signed by the British, Canadian, and 14 European High Commissions and Embassies, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, expressed profound concern over the “tragic loss of lives and injuries” and detailed “credible reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and concealment of dead bodies” following the October 29 polls.
The new development comes after an investigative report by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which highlighted gross violations of human rights by Tanzanian security agents, including shooting of unarmed civilians during protests. Using an iron hand, the authorities in Tanzania ensured that this information remains unaccessible to the world for weeks until the BBC report came out.
In an exceptional display of diplomatic unity, the signatories issued a clear directive to the Tanzanian authorities. The coalition demanded the “urgent release of the bodies to the families” of the deceased, alongside the immediate release of political prisoners and the provision of legal and medical support to all detainees.
The move marks a significant escalation in international pressure on Dar es Salaam after the contentious presidential election, which saw the incumbent declared the winner amid opposition allegations of widespread fraud and repression.
The diplomatic group underscored the importance of fundamental democratic commitments, calling on the government to uphold the protection of the freedoms of information and expression. This demand comes amid reports that security forces have utilized excessive force against protestors and that media and internet access were severely restricted in the immediate aftermath of the vote.
Furthermore, the statement urged the government to demonstrate commitment to good governance by comprehensively addressing the recommendations and shortcomings identified in preliminary election reports issued by both the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The coalition concluded by acknowledging the government’s recent recognition that understanding the roots of the violence is a crucial step towards justice and reconciliation. However, the tone of the joint statement emphasized that concrete action must follow the rhetoric to prevent a further deterioration of the human rights situation and diplomatic ties with the international community.
