The African Union (AU) has expressed serious concern over the conduct of Tanzania’s recent presidential elections, citing widespread irregularities and violence that undermined the credibility of the process. The AU’s preliminary observer report stated that the elections “did not fully comply with regional and international standards for democratic governance,” pointing to evidence of ballot manipulation, restricted political freedoms, and an extensive internet shutdown during polling days.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who secured re-election last month, has defended the legitimacy of the vote. However, opposition parties and civil society groups have challenged the results, alleging intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and targeted violence against protesters. Reports indicate that more than 800 people may have died in post-election unrest, though the Tanzanian government has contested this figure, calling it “grossly exaggerated.”
Independent election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also criticised the atmosphere surrounding the polls, describing it as “conducive to fear and repression.” The SADC mission noted that several opposition leaders were detained or charged with serious offences, including terrorism-related accusations, in what critics say was a deliberate attempt to stifle dissent.
In a statement from Addis Ababa, the African Union Commission reiterated its commitment to support inclusive dialogue between Tanzanian political actors. The Commission urged the government to undertake electoral reforms, strengthen judicial independence, and ensure accountability for any abuses that occurred. The AU emphasised that stability and legitimacy in governance derive from “free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people.”
Political analysts have highlighted that the developments in Tanzania reflect a broader democratic regression across sub-Saharan Africa, with several states in the region grappling with contested transitions of power, growing authoritarian tendencies, and public disillusionment with electoral processes. Research from the Brookings Institution indicates that public confidence in democracy has declined steadily over the past decade, particularly in regions affected by recurring military interventions and socio-economic crises.
Despite these challenges, Pan-African scholars caution against adopting reductionist narratives that portray Africa as uniformly backsliding democratically. They argue that the continent’s political realities are far more nuanced, shaped by diverse local contexts, civic mobilisation, and evolving democratic experiments. Tanzania’s situation, in this view, exemplifies the tensions between state sovereignty, stability, and citizens’ rights—a dynamic seen across multiple African societies striving to reconcile historical legacies with contemporary demands for accountability and participatory governance.
As the AU and SADC continue to engage Tanzanian authorities, observers stress the importance of dialogue over sanction, and reform over isolation. The episode underscores the ongoing task of building democratic resilience across Africa from within African frameworks—anchored in human dignity, constitutionalism, and the collective aspiration for peace and progress across the continent.
