President John Mahama has commended Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for establishing a commission of inquiry into reported post-election deaths and arrests that have drawn widespread international condemnation.
His commendation follows Ghana’s earlier stance condemning the post-election violence in Tanzania, where hundreds were reportedly killed during anti-government protests on October 29, 2025, and several others detained on suspicion of treason. Accra had described the situation as deeply troubling and called for accountability.
Amid mounting global criticism over alleged killings and opposition repression, President Suluhu announced the formation of the commission of inquiry to investigate the reported atrocities. The move marked a shift from her administration’s initial position, which had attributed criticisms to external interference in Tanzania’s domestic affairs.
President Mahama made the remarks during a bilateral engagement with President Suluhu after attending the 20th Anniversary and Opening of the 2026 Legal Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, where he served as Special Guest of Honour.
Earlier, Ghana formally condemned the reported repression, stating that its position was grounded in its obligations under international human rights frameworks, including its membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the unfolding developments appeared inconsistent with established human rights commitments.
Ghana’s statement came a day after the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania issued a security alert urging American citizens to exercise caution amid fears of potential unrest. The alert heightened international attention on the situation.
Accra further aligned itself with global and regional appeals for transparent, credible, and impartial investigations into the post-election violence. It called for all detainees — including those accused or convicted of treason, to be guaranteed fair, inclusive, and equitable legal processes in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament adopted a strongly worded resolution condemning alleged mass killings, arbitrary detentions, and what it described as a systematic crackdown on political dissent in Tanzania. The resolution urged the European Commission and the Council to suspend direct support to Tanzanian authorities pending credible accountability measures.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights also cautioned that, if verified, the reported violations would constitute serious breaches of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Tanzania ratified in 1984. It reiterated the importance of credible and transparent electoral processes consistent with continental standards, noting concerns that the recent polls may have fallen short of those benchmarks.
The general election in Tanzania was held on October 29, 2025, with incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan seeking a second term. The vote saw her overwhelmingly declared the winner with over 97 % of the vote, after several major opposition figures and parties were barred from participating and key critics faced legal challenges or were detained.
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