Dar es Salaam – Retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman addressed the media here on April 8, 2026, offering his first public clarification since the government announced a second extension for the commission’s report.
The new deadline, pushed to April 24, 2026, gives the nine-member panel a total of 153 days to investigate the deadly unrest that followed the October 29, 2025, general election.
During the press conference, Chairman Chande acknowledged the public’s anticipation, whilst assuring Tanzanians that the commission is in its final stages. He explained that the sheer scale of the investigation necessitated the additional time, comparing the nationwide inquiry to complex criminal cases that often take months to resolve.
The primary reason for the delay, according to Chairman Chande, was a significant expansion in the commission’s geographical scope. Initially planning to visit six regions, the commission ultimately expanded its reach to 11 regions and 22 districts as new information emerged.
“Every day as you work, as you dig deeper, the work increases,” he told a press conference. “We started from zero, but right now we truly have mountains of files and evidence.”
READ MORE: Second Extension Granted for Tanzania’s Post-Election Violence Inquiry
He noted that the commission deliberately visited areas that remained peaceful, such as Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, to understand why violence erupted in places like Dar es Salaam, whilst other regions remained calm. The visit to Zanzibar was also intended to draw lessons on reconciliation, a key component of the commission’s mandate.
Addressing widespread public scepticism regarding the commission’s independence and the eventual outcome of its report, Chairman Chande offered a firm guarantee that the findings would be strictly guided by the evidence gathered.
“We are guided only by evidence, and only the evidence will lead us to where we are going,” he guaranteed. “When we issue the report, we will tell you that our evidence on this matter has reached this point.”
He emphasised that the commission would only rely on information formally presented to it—whether through sworn testimony, in-person hearings, written submissions, or documented analysis. He reiterated that the commission’s doors remain open for anyone wishing to submit evidence before the final report is concluded.
In a notable comparison, Chairman Chande highlighted the level of cooperation the commission has received from the Tanzanian government and various stakeholders.
READ MORE:Probe into Tanzania’s Post-Election Unrest Extended
Drawing on his international experience, he contrasted this with his current role as chairman of the United Nations fact-finding mission investigating human rights violations in Sudan, where the government does not recognise the commission or offer cooperation.
Despite these assurances, the commission continues to face intense scrutiny. Online commentary following the press conference reflected ongoing concerns about potential political interference.
Critics have questioned whether the final report might be altered to shield government officials and security forces from accountability, particularly given the controversial inclusion of former security and defence officials on the panel.
The commission was established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on November 20, 2025, following widespread condemnation of the state’s response to election protests.
As the April 24 deadline approaches, the Tanzanian public and international observers remain watchful, waiting to see if the “mountains of evidence” Chairman Chande described will translate into a transparent and unredacted account of the October 2025 violence.
