HARARE – A Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission has concluded that Tanzania’s 2025 general election failed to meet regional democratic standards, citing intimidation of opposition figures, arrests, an internet shutdown and violence that left voters unable to “express their democratic will.”
The unusually blunt preliminary report by the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), released on November 3, 2025, sharply contrasts with the congratulatory messages issued by some African leaders — among them President Emmerson Mnangagwa — who hailed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s re-election while ignoring allegations of a deadly crackdown.
In its 18-page preliminary assessment, the mission led by former Malawian Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya said the election “fell short of the requirements of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.”
The SEOM, which deployed 80 observers to 27 of Tanzania’s 31 regions, reported harassment of its own teams, including an incident in Tanga where security forces “aggressively interrogated” observers, confiscated passports and forced them to delete photographs.
While voting was largely calm, the mission recorded incidents of violence, gunfire by police and very low turnout. Observers were unable to complete data collection due to an internet blackout that disrupted communication and reporting systems.
The mission highlighted the arrest and treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and the disqualification of several opposition candidates, including ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina, as evidence of a “tense and intimidating political atmosphere.”
“These actions undermine Tanzania’s multi-party system by removing legitimate competition in the electoral process,” the report said. “This creates an uneven political playing field, discouraging public participation and voter turnout.”
The SEOM also criticised the dominance of the ruling party in state media, noting that opposition coverage was minimal and that many private outlets “self-censored” for fear of losing their licences.
Social media restrictions further constrained free expression, the observers said, warning that citizens’ ability to access and share information was “heavily curtailed.”
SADC noted that Tanzania’s constitution bars courts from hearing presidential election petitions — a provision the mission said was incompatible with the principle of electoral justice. It also criticised the presidential appointment of electoral commissioners, saying it cast doubt on the independence of the electoral bodies.
The mission recommended a comprehensive constitutional review, reforms to permit independent candidates, and gender equity measures to improve women’s participation.
Despite the damning report, African leaders have largely avoided condemning the conduct of the election. Mnangagwa’s message to Suluhu on November 2 praised her “visionary leadership” and pledged continued cooperation “at regional and multilateral fora,” without reference to the violence or irregularities.
Mnangagwa notably did not attend Suluhu’s inauguration on Monday, instead choosing to fly to Qatar for a United Nations conference.
The African Union Commission expressed “deep regret” over the loss of life but stopped short of criticising the process, while the European Union called the election “deeply concerning,” citing killings, abductions and an internet shutdown.
The unusually candid tone of the SEOM report has recent precedence in Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections, where the regional bloc’s observers said Mnangagwa’s re-election was not credible — a rare stance for the SADC mission, which has often been accused of whitewashing flawed polls.
For perhaps only the second time, however, the mission was unambiguous about what it saw in Tanzania: “In most areas, voters could not express their democratic will.”
It remains unclear what action, if any, SADC leaders will take after receiving the report.
The electoral commission in Tanzania said Suluhu won with 98 percent of the vote, claiming an 87 percent turnout — figures that have been met with ridicule by many Tanzanians.
