Tanzania’s leading opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), has called for the creation of a transitional government to replace President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
The party proposes that the administration be monitored by international bodies, including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and Southern African Development Community (SADC), to restore democratic practices and prepare new national elections deemed credible and inclusive.
Chadema argues that this transitional government should ensure political freedoms, reinstate civil liberties, free political prisoners, and pave the way for fresh elections conducted fairly.
In a statement on Thursday, December 11, 2025, John Heche, Chadema Vice Chairman Mainland, rejected the results of the October 29, 2025 polls, calling the presidential, parliamentary, and councillor elections invalid due to widespread breaches of law and democratic norms.
"The entire election for President, Members of Parliament, and Councillors is invalid and lacks any legitimacy because it was conducted under massive violations of law, rights, and the principles of democracy. Chadema insists on the immediate annulment of all election results, and the dissolution of the so-called Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because that commission lacks independence, starting from the appointment of its members, its structure, and its duties. That body no longer has any legitimacy and is not trusted by Tanzanians to oversee a free and fair election," Heche said.
Chadema also described President Samia Suluhu Hassan as an illegitimate leader whose government depends on coercion and political crimes.
The party highlighted actions by the ruling CCM, including arrests of key figures such as party chairman Tundu Antipas Lissu on politically motivated treason charges, limitations on Chadema’s lawful operations, frozen bank accounts, media restrictions, social media blackouts, nationwide internet shutdowns, illegal curfews, and violent suppression of citizens.
"Samia Suluhu Hassan did not receive the consent of the people, who are the basis of all authority, and her government is illegal and oppressive because it is the result of a defiled election. Her leadership depends on force, oppression, and political crime. Due to the invalid election and the circumstances of authoritarian rule, Samia Suluhu Hassan has no legitimacy whatsoever to continue leading the country," the party stated.
The opposition reported large-scale human rights abuses, including mass killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings by security forces. Chadema claims that in just one week, more than 2,000 people were killed and over 5,000 injured during election-related events.
"Chadema demands the immediate cessation of all operations involving abductions, torture, murders, and disappearances of citizens, and that abducted Tanzanians be released. We insist on the presentation and handover of the bodies of all those killed before, during, and after 29 October 2025, to their families so that the bodies can finally be buried with honour and in accordance with Tanzanian customs," the statement said.
The party called for a thorough, independent investigation involving local and international experts to uncover the truth, identify mass graves, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Chadema also demanded reforms of security institutions, compensation for victims’ families, and responsibility from political leaders, officials, and security personnel involved in the abuses.
Chadema emphasized the urgency of continuing the constitutional review process to address longstanding gaps in electoral and governance systems.
The party also asked the international community to impose sanctions on those responsible for crimes against humanity, ensure aid supports civil society rather than the government, and block the supply of arms that could be used against civilians.
