Tanzania is facing mounting international scrutiny after a coalition of human rights organizations formally petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged atrocities committed during and after the October general election.
The petition—submitted by the Madrid Bar Association in partnership with several global human rights bodies—accuses Tanzanian state security agencies of orchestrating widespread violence against civilians. The groups claim that security forces carried out killings, mass arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and cyber-enabled intimidation targeting millions.
According to the petitioners, the violence was not isolated but part of a coordinated state operation designed to suppress dissent around the election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a disputed victory. The coalition is urging ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to open a formal investigation into what they describe as crimes against humanity.
Human rights lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez—representing victims in the petition—argues that President Suluhu, as commander-in-chief, bears direct responsibility for authorizing the use of force against civilians. The petition also asks the ICC to widen the investigation to include alleged abuses dating back to 2016, citing a pattern of violations over several years.
The October election ignited widespread protests across Tanzania, with citizens disputing the credibility of the poll and demanding transparency. Demonstrations quickly turned violent as security forces moved in to disperse protesters. Independent observers reported targeted killings, destruction of property, and brutal crackdowns in several towns.
Hundreds of opposition supporters and activists were arrested, many charged with treason. Reports of disappearances and torture in detention facilities have since emerged, further intensifying calls for accountability.
The petition to the ICC coincides with rising diplomatic pressure on the Tanzanian government. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has called for an immediate independent investigation into the killing of civilians, warning that continued abuses could damage Tanzania’s global standing.
Facing public anger and heightened scrutiny, the Tanzanian government has taken several notable steps. Authorities have cancelled the upcoming Independence Day celebrations amid fears of large-scale protests planned for the same day. Additionally, some of the more than 300 detainees arrested during the election period have begun to be released.
With the ICC now formally petitioned, the spotlight is firmly on The Hague. If the prosecutor determines that the claims meet the threshold for investigation, Tanzania could face one of its most significant international legal challenges in years.
As the nation confronts uncertainty, victims’ families, activists, and global human rights organizations continue to push for justice—insisting that those responsible for the post-election bloodshed must be held accountable.
