SADC and EU Raise Concerns Over Tanzania’s Elections, Cite Intimidation and Rights Violations

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the European Union (EU) have expressed serious concern over the conduct of Tanzania’s recent general elections, saying the process fell short of democratic standards and was marred by intimidation, restricted freedoms, and unequal treatment of candidates.

In a statement to the press, the SADC Election Observation Mission said that while the election day was generally peaceful across many polling stations, “in numerous areas, voters were not able to freely express their democratic will.”

The mission’s preliminary report concluded that the elections did not meet the benchmarks outlined in SADC’s 2021 Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which emphasize transparency, political pluralism, and respect for civil rights as essential for credible polls.

Opposition Intimidation and Media Restrictions

According to SADC observers, opposition figures were harassed, detained, or threatened during the campaign period. Among those arrested was prominent opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces charges related to “endangering national security. “These actions undermined multi-party democracy in Tanzania and discouraged citizens from active political participation,” the report stated, adding that the climate of fear “created an uneven playing field” between ruling party and opposition candidates.

The mission also raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and media operations. It noted that on election day, access to the internet and social media platforms was blocked nationwide  disrupting communication and hindering election monitoring efforts.
Online access was only restored hours after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in for her second term.

SADC further criticized state-owned media for favoring the ruling party while independent outlets limited coverage due to fear of government reprisals.

EU Calls for Investigations and Political Restraint

The European Union issued a separate statement echoing SADC’s concerns, condemning reports of violence, internet shutdowns, and irregularities. “The EU is deeply concerned by credible reports of killings and serious injuries,” the statement said, urging all sides to show restraint.
It also called for the release of detained politicians and independent investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and acts of brutality.

Government Response

Shortly after her swearing-in, President Samia Suluhu Hassan thanked international organizations for their observations but emphasized that the final say on Tanzania’s political direction rests with its citizens. “Tanzania alone has the sovereign right to decide its own path,” she said, invoking the words of former President Benjamin Mkapa in 2000, who similarly welcomed observers but rejected external interference. “We appreciate those who come to observe our elections. We listen when they praise us, and we also hear their criticisms  but the laws guiding our actions remain ours,” she stated.

Suluhu acknowledged that “no individual or country is perfect,” saying every democracy faces challenges.

Path Forward

SADC urged the Tanzanian government to strengthen its electoral framework, including allowing independent candidates, empowering the judiciary to review presidential results, protecting election observers, and ensuring that youth can participate meaningfully in political life.

Tanzania, one of the founding members of SADC, hosted observer missions from the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and other international partners.

As the dust settles, both regional and international actors are watching closely to see whether President Suluhu’s administration will act on the concerns  or continue to insist that Tanzania’s democracy is best judged by Tanzanians themselves.