Dar es Salaam – Tanzania’s deepening political crisis took a sharp turn this week as the two main opposition parties, CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo, flatly rejected a presidential commission appointed to investigate the violent unrest, which coincided with the disputed general elections of October 29, 2025.
In a coordinated pushback, opposition leaders dismissed the eight-member team—composed largely of retired senior government and security officials—as an attempt by the state to “investigate itself.”
The rejection creates an immediate impasse for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, which had framed the inquiry as a step towards national healing following a week of protests, a lockdown, an internet shutdown, and allegations of heavy-handed police crackdowns.
The commission, announced on November 18, 2025, by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka, is chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman.
However, the credibility of the panel was immediately challenged on Wednesday, November 19, by CHADEMA, which argued that a government accused of electoral fraud and human rights abuses lacks the moral and legal authority to appoint its own investigators.
READ MORE: Tanzania Government Announces 8-Member Team to Investigate Events Around October 29 Election Protest
“The accused cannot be the judge in their own case,” stated John Heche, CHADEMA’s Vice Chairperson (Mainland), in a press conference on Wednesday.
“This is not an independent commission; it is a conspiracy to hide the truth, destroy evidence, and continue to hurt the victims,” he added. “What is called ‘investigating the breach of peace’ is a tactic to turn victims into criminals and cleanse the real perpetrators.”
Heche argued that President Samia lacks political legitimacy following the “unfree and unfair” election process, citing criticisms from the African Union (AU) and the SADC observer missions.
CHADEMA has declared it will not recognise the commission, calling instead for a probe under the auspices of the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), or the African Union.
A mockery of justice
The sentiments were echoed by ACT-Wazalendo, which issued its own statement on Tuesday describing the commission as a “mockery” to the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in the post-election turmoil.
READ MORE: Chakwera Speaks After Appointment by Commonwealth for Tanzania’s Mediation Effort
“This commission includes members from within Tanzania, including government officials and security organs who themselves should be part of the investigation,” said Ado Shaibu, the party’s Secretary General.
“ACT-Wazalendo makes it clear that we will not participate in any way. We will not provide testimony or cooperation, as we recognise this is not an independent body.”
The opposition’s refusal to cooperate poses a significant challenge to the commission’s mandate. Without the testimony of opposition supporters—who were the primary participants in the protests sparked by the October 29 polls—the inquiry risks becoming a one-sided bureaucratic exercise.
Commission’s members
The government will likely defend the selection by pointing to the high profiles and seniority of the appointees. The team is a roll call of the Tanzanian establishment —veteran civil servants and diplomats who have served previous administrations.
- Justice (Rtd) Mohamed Chande Othman (Chairperson): A heavyweight in international law, Othman served as Tanzania’s Chief Justice from 2010 to 2017. He is internationally respected, having led the UN inquiry into the death of former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. His appointment is likely calculated to lend international credibility to the domestic process.
- Prof Ibrahim Hamis Juma: The immediate former Chief Justice who succeeded Othman. His inclusion means the commission contains two consecutive former heads of the judiciary.
- IGP (Rtd) Said Ally Mwema: Served as Inspector General of Police from 2006 to 2013. While credited with introducing community policing, his presence is contentious for the opposition, who view the police force as a central actor in the recent violence.
- Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax: A powerful figure in Tanzanian politics, she has served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Samia. She was also the first woman to serve as Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
- Ambassador Ombeni Sefue: A seasoned diplomat who served as Chief Secretary (Head of Civil Service) under former President John Magufuli.
- Ambassadors Radhia Msuya, Lt. Gen. Paul Meela, and David Kapya: Rounding out the team are three career diplomats, with Meela having a military background, further cementing the “security-establishment” character of the team.
A nation fractured
The commission was established under the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Cap 32) with a mandate to investigate the “breach of peace” events before, during, and after the October 29 election.
READ MORE: Tanzania’s Catholic Bishops Call for Independent Inquiry Over Election Protest Killings
The move followed mounting pressure from civil society and religious leaders. Earlier this month, the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) issued a statement condemning the “killings” of protestors and calling for an independent inquiry.
At the same time, the Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) attributed the deaths to the control of “criminal acts,” urging stability.
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The unrest has drawn international eyes to Tanzania, a nation usually heralded as a beacon of stability in East Africa. The Commonwealth Secretary-General has appointed former Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera to lead mediation efforts, highlighting the severity of the rift.
For the opposition, however, mediation and investigation are non-starters without international guarantees. “There is no peace without justice,” Heche’s press conference concluded. “And there is no legitimacy without the consent of the people.”
