Dar es Salaam-Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, held a national memorial event on November 3, 2026, to mark one year since the election crisis in which more than 500 people were killed, according to official figures, and thousands more were injured.
Held at the party’s office in Dar es Salaam, the event falls within a seven-day mourning period announced by the party starting October 29, during which its flags have been flown at half-mast. The ceremony included prayers, poetry readings, the lighting of candles, the laying of flowers at a specially designated area, and reflections from party leaders.
“Today we extend our condolences and heartfelt solidarity to all those who have lost their loved ones. We think of the parents who have buried their children. We think of the children left without parents. We think of the widows and widowers whose lives changed suddenly,” read the party’s opening message, delivered by its communications personnel, Brenda Rupia. “We think of the relatives who are still searching for information about loved ones whose whereabouts remain unknown.”
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“As we begin this important commemoration, we repeat our message to all the affected families. The lives of our loved ones were of great value. Their dreams were of value. Their presence in our families was of value. And their memory continues to be part of our history,” the message continued. “We are not here to celebrate death; we are here to honour the lives of those we have lost. We are not here to stir up hatred; we are here to stand for truth, dignity and justice.”
Attendees wore black, a departure from the party uniform usually seen at CHADEMA events. After a minute of silence, candles were lit and roses were placed at a special memorial stand. The names of those who lost their lives, as far as the party has been able to confirm them, scrolled across a large screen in front of the audience.
“To those who lost their lives, we say: we will not forget you. To the families who lost their loved ones, we say: we will stand together with you. To the injured, we say: your pain is recognised. And to our nation, we say: the truth must be known, justice must be done, and human life must be respected,” Rupia said, reading the party’s memorial message.
Reflection
In an unusually emotional address, the party’s Vice Chairperson, John Heche, said the party was going through a historically difficult moment, but stressed that it would maintain its stance against abductions and killings.
Heche message also addressed claims on social media that the environment is being tilted for the party leadership to take the fall for the October 29 crisis and the deaths of people.
“We are going through a difficult historical period, but God has chosen us because he knows we can make it through this time. Almighty God has placed us in these responsibilities at this moment for His own reasons,” Heche said.
“I want to tell you that our leadership is strong. Even if you bring cases against us, even if you fabricate charges against us, they will not become the truth. They cannot become the truth, and they cannot erase the truth,” he emphasised.
Heche called on those in power to “take a step back,” apologise, take responsibility and compensate the victims of the crisis, warning that the plans already set in motion would only deepen the country’s socio-political crisis.
“Even if twenty or thirty years pass with you still in power, handing it among yourselves as you plan; even if you arrest Lissu and lock him up, arrest me too, and break up CHADEMA, even if you do all that, it was done before in South Africa to the ANC. CHADEMA cannot die, because CHADEMA is the truth, and you cannot kill the truth. You can delay it, chase the wind, and deceive yourselves, but you cannot kill it,” he added.
