Imagine a nation reeling from disputed elections, where protests erupt, and lives are tragically lost. Now, picture the moral compass of that nation – its Catholic bishops – stepping forward to demand justice and accountability. That's precisely what's happening in Tanzania.
The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), representing the country’s Catholic bishops, has issued a powerful call for an independent and thorough investigation into the "brutal killings" that marred the aftermath of the October 29, 2025, election day protests. The bishops, in a statement read by TEC President Bishop Wolfgang Pisa, didn’t mince words: they condemned the violence, offered condolences to the victims, and underscored the fundamental right to protest – a right, they argued, that was tragically trampled upon.
"Not every protest is a crime," the bishops declared. "To protest is a right of citizens as a way of delivering a message or grievances when dialogue has failed. It is sad to see that the protesters who turned out on election day were all placed under the umbrella of crime. The punishment of a protester is not death.”
But here's where it gets controversial... The bishops didn't just condemn the violence; they delved into the root causes of the unrest. They identified three critical factors fueling the protests:
A Culture of Impunity and Violence: The bishops highlighted a disturbing pattern of abductions, killings, and physical assaults against citizens, claiming that “There have been blatant incidents of killings, abductions, beatings, and harm against citizens without a firm intention to stop these evil deeds, which are contrary to Article 14 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.” They further stated that the right to life has been violated, not only by security organs, but also by 'Unknown Assailants' who appear to be more powerful than state authorities.
Since 2024, the bishops pointed out, there has been a consistent trend of abductions and disappearances, that intensified as the election approached. They noted that in many cases, people claiming to be police or security officials have disappeared with citizens, while authorities claim investigations are ongoing. This atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, they argued, contributed significantly to the public's frustration and anger.Electoral Process Deficiencies: The TEC statement pointed to a lack of genuine democracy in the process of choosing leaders as a root cause. The statement notes that the persistent absence of fair, transparent, and credible electoral competition has been a long-standing concern since 2016. The bishops criticized the integrity of the electoral process, pointing out that the 2025 election marked a grim milestone: the first time in the history of multiparty elections where the main opposition party was excluded from the ballot. Even in the presidential race, the second-largest opposition party was unable to field a candidate after its nominee was blocked. Regional observers, including SADC and the AU, issued reports indicating that the process fell short of democratic standards.
And this is the part most people miss... the bishops are not just talking about isolated incidents; they're pointing to a systemic problem within the electoral system itself. They're saying that the lack of a level playing field and the exclusion of key political voices likely contributed to the widespread discontent.Suppressed Grievances: The Bishops highlighted that the anger of citizens has also been fueled by the absence of a place where citizens can take their complaints about violations of their fundamental rights and have them addressed. This is because some of the branches of government are being interfered with. In other words, the absence of effective mechanisms for citizens to voice concerns and seek redress for grievances further inflamed tensions.
The TEC statement went on to condemn the alleged excessive use of force by security forces during the protests, including the use of military-grade weapons against unarmed civilians. "Even in war, you cannot use every kind of weapon," the bishops lamented. "Protests are not war, yet weapons used in war were used. Officers killed our unarmed brothers recklessly and with extreme brutality like animals—something that makes us ask ourselves: how can a sane human being commit such acts?"
The bishops' call for an independent inquiry echoes similar demands from local, regional, and international organizations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. They also expressed deep concern over reports that injured individuals were denied medical services and demanded the return of the bodies of those killed to their families, so they may lay them to rest or preserve them with dignity according to their religious beliefs, customs, traditions, and culture.
To heal the nation, TEC outlined eight specific recommendations:
- Authorities must condemn the killings unequivocally.
- Heads of security organs must take responsibility or be held accountable.
- An independent investigation involving both national and international stakeholders is essential. The stakeholders we recommend should come from independent bodies not aligned with any side, such as international communities and institutions, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and experts in human rights and democratic matters. The government should be ready to receive and act on the report they produce
- Leaders must live lives of integrity and transparency.
- All those detained deceitfully before and after the election and placed in detention or in undisclosed locations should be released unconditionally.
- They stressed the need for a new Constitution and the rule of law, calling these long-standing demands.
- The government must listen to its citizens.
- Tanzanians should continue praying for justice, peace, and healing.
Interestingly, the bishops' statement came just a day after the Tanzanian president pledged to establish an inquiry into the events, signaling a potential willingness to address the concerns raised. But will this inquiry be truly independent and impartial? Will it lead to real accountability and systemic reforms? These are the questions that remain.
This situation raises some critical questions: Is the Tanzanian government truly committed to transparency and accountability? Or are these just empty promises aimed at appeasing international pressure? What role should international organizations play in ensuring a fair and impartial investigation? And, perhaps most importantly, what can be done to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future?
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe an independent inquiry is the best way forward? What other measures should be taken to address the underlying issues in Tanzania? Share your opinions and insights below. Let's discuss this important issue and work towards finding solutions for a more just and peaceful future for Tanzania.
