Ghana has joined growing international calls for an impartial investigation into the human rights situation in Tanzania following the widely rejected election that declared Samia Suluhu Hassan President with 98% of the total vote.
Ghana’s criticism comes as Tanzania braces for a major opposition-led protest on December 9, its Independence Day, which many citizens plan to use to express anger over the disputed polls. In response, the Tanzanian government has cancelled the national celebration, redirecting funds towards the reconstruction of damaged state infrastructure.
In a statement, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the escalating tension in Tanzania, citing reports of hundreds of protesters killed by police, the incarceration of opposition figures, and mass treason convictions involving youth. The Ministry warned that the situation poses a serious threat to the country’s stability.
Ghana’s position is grounded in its membership in the UN Human Rights Council and other international bodies whose human rights frameworks, the Ministry said, are being violated by the unfolding situation in Tanzania. The statement was issued a day after the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania released a security alert, urging its citizens living in or traveling to the country to be cautious ahead of potential unrest.
Ghana extended condolences to families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery, describing the violence as “unwarranted.” At the same time, Ghana acknowledged Tanzania’s sovereign right to maintain internal order through professional policing and lawful public security measures.
“Ghana recognizes and supports the Tanzanian authorities’ assurance to addressing impunity through accountability, justice, and respect for constitutional order. In this regard, Ghana affirms the importance of effective policing and public order measures as part of overall strategies for the promotion and protection of all human rights, especially of protesters, and urges the Government to ensure that security forces and relevant state institutions remain mindful of these obligations.” the statement said.
The Ministry urged all stakeholders, including political parties weakened by disqualification and arrests of their leaders, state authorities, protesters, and security forces, to uphold the rule of law and prevent further human rights violations.
Ghana backed global and regional appeals for transparent, credible, and impartial investigations into post-election violence, and called for all detainees, especially those convicted of treason, to be granted fair, inclusive, and equitable legal processes as required under international human rights law.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament on Thursday adopted a strongly worded resolution with 539 votes in favour, none against, and 27 abstentions, condemning mass killings, arbitrary detentions, and a systematic crackdown on political dissent in Tanzania. The resolution urged the European Commission and the Council to halt direct support to Tanzanian authorities, warning that continued engagement without accountability would undermine Europe’s human rights commitments.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights also issued a caution, saying that if verified, the reported violations would constitute grave breaches of the African Charter, which Tanzania ratified on February 18, 1984. It reiterated the importance of transparent and credible elections in line with Resolution 331 on Elections in Africa, noting that the recent polls fell short of these standards.
By: Richmond Fordjour Ampofo
