Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Tanzania Slams CNN ‘Slander’ as ‘Information Warfare’ Over Post-Election Violence Report
The Tanzanian government has fiercely rejected an investigation by the US news network CNN detailing lethal police violence and mass graves following the country’s disputed general election on October 29, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, November 23, Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissed the report as “one-sided” and a serious breach of journalistic ethics, further alleging it was part of an international campaign of “information warfare” designed to damage Tanzania’s burgeoning economy and tourism sector.
Mr Msigwa, in a comprehensive statement addressing the article, claimed the foreign broadcaster had failed to contact government officials for a response, thus producing a “slanderous” report.
He firmly asserted that authorities were available for comment and accused the CNN journalist of compiling the story remotely using “phone-captured pictures” rather than being on the ground in a major “ethical error.” He added that the government was ready to cooperate with any media wishing to publish a balanced account.
Mr Msigwa extended his critique to other major international broadcasters, including the BBC, Al Jazeera, and DW, accusing them of similarly publishing content intended to “incite hatred” among Tanzanians and create “turmoil” through “the weaponisation of narrative.”
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Funerals Without a Body: A New Kind of Grief in Tanzania Following October 29 Unrest
No words were enough to explain it. “This is not normal,” were the words repeated at least three times by the priest leading the funeral mass of Dainess Raphael Sisa. Dainess, who had just turned 28 on October 20, 2025, lost her life on October 29, 2025. Multiple witnesses say she was shot in the chest around Tabata Shule area.
Unlike most funerals, there was no body present. On November 14, 2025, about 100 people gathered at Yohana 23 Parish in Kibo, Dar es Salaam. A framed picture had to be used in place of her remains.
Before the mass started, it was evident that no one knew how to behave in such an unusual situation. At first, her picture was placed on a plastic chair covered with a piece of cloth. Then a family member added another chair on top to increase visibility. When the priest entered, he consulted the church assistants again, and the photo was placed to the front of the altar, where it remained until the end of the service.
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President Samia Commissions 296 New Military Officers in Monduli
President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Samia Suluhu Hassan, commissioned 296 officer cadets to the rank of Second Lieutenant at the Tanzania Military Academy (TMA) in Monduli, Arusha, on November 22, 2025.
The cohort included 106 Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) cadets from Intake 06/22 pursuing the Bachelor of Military Science, and 79 Tanzanian cadets from Intake 72/24–Regular. In addition, 111 Tanzanian officer cadets trained in friendly nations received their commissions. These partner countries include South Africa, Burundi, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Russia.
President Samia officiated the commissioning ceremony during a two-day working tour of the Arusha Region, which began on November 21, 2025. This was her first visit to the region since being sworn in for her second term on November 3, 2025.
Accompanying the President at the event were the Minister of Defence and National Service, Dr. Rhimo Simeon Nyansaho, the Chief of Defence Forces, General John Jacob Mkunda, the TMA Commandant, Major General Jairos Mwaseba, along with senior TPDF officers, retired military leaders, and a wide range of national and international guests.
The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating officers and underscored Tanzania’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its defence forces and deepening military cooperation with allied nations.
Tanzania Police Intensify Crackdown Amidst Calls for Independence Day Protests
The Tanzanian Police Force has intensified a nationwide crackdown, arresting dozens of individuals—including members of the main opposition party CHADEMA, influential TikTok content creators, and WhatsApp group administrators—on accusations of planning and inciting unrest.
The arrests are aimed at preventing anticipated so-called “D9” demonstrations scheduled to begin on December 9, 2025, which marks the country’s 64th anniversary of Independence.
The police action has been ongoing since mid-November and targets those accused of “spreading hatred among the community and inciting violence in the country,” as well as “distributing provocative and divisive words.”
The crackdown has been shadowed by controversy after some arrests were reported by onlookers and online users as potential abductions by armed, plainclothes individuals.
This was evident in Arusha, where police later admitted to holding Edwin Richard Mboro and Victor Bonaventure Ndibalema, accused of “leading a chat group to spread hatred.” Videos showed the two men struggling against individuals who were not wearing police uniform, fuelling claims of attempted kidnapping, a characterisation the police have rejected.
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