Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu is facing mounting international pressure after a hard-hitting exposé by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo highlighted alleged human-rights violations during the country’s October elections.
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has now called for an independent investigation into the killings and unrest reported across Tanzania.
Madowo’s investigation documented a crackdown on protesters, including claims of mass graves and excessive use of force by security forces.
Satellite imagery, drone footage, and eyewitness testimonies were cited to reveal the extent of the alleged government repression, as foreign journalists were largely denied access to cover the polls.
The U.S. Senate described the findings as “an unacceptable attempt to cover up gross violations of human rights” and stressed the need for a transparent probe. The committee condemned the Tanzanian government’s attempts to dispute casualty figures and accused it of undermining accountability.
Reports indicate that security forces targeted demonstrators who challenged the official election results, leaving morgues overwhelmed and denying medical assistance to victims. The exposé relied heavily on verified open-source data, including footage showing disturbed soil at several sites, fuelling suspicions of mass graves.
Tanzania’s government has rejected much of the report, accusing CNN and foreign media of presenting an unbalanced narrative. Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa argued that the outlets failed to seek official statements, framing the coverage as part of a smear campaign against Samia’s administration.
Opposition leaders welcomed the U.S. Senate’s intervention, arguing that local advocacy had failed to compel the government to act. They say international pressure may finally force accountability for the post-election violence.
Analysts note that this development marks one of Samia Suluhu’s toughest international challenges since her re-election with a reported 98 percent of votes. The call for an independent probe signals growing global concern over Tanzania’s human-rights record and could affect diplomatic relations.
The situation now places Samia’s administration under intense scrutiny, as the U.S. and other global actors watch whether Tanzania will permit impartial investigations. Observers warn that the coming weeks are critical in determining both domestic stability and Tanzania’s standing on the international stage.
