Africa-Press – Tanzania. Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has rejected the Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to investigate what the government described as “breaches of peace” during and after the October 29 elections.
In a statement, the party’s Vice Chairman, John Heche, urged international institutions to call on the government and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to allow what he termed an independent international investigation.
Heche said CHADEMA is seeking support from the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the International Criminal Court, regional and international human rights bodies, friendly nations, and other pro-democracy partners.
“CHADEMA will continue to stand with the people of Tanzania until justice is achieved,” he said, adding that the party wants those it believes were responsible for alleged human rights violations to be held accountable.
He appealed to Tanzanians and the international community to support what he described as a principled position.
Heche said the party maintains that only a truly independent international commission—one with the necessary mandate, professionalism, and credibility—can conduct an impartial inquiry into the alleged killings and violations reported around the election period.
“The government must allow such an investigation under international oversight, free from fear, threats, or interference,” he said.
“There can be no peace without justice, and no legitimacy without the consent of the people.”
Heche also criticised the composition of the commission appointed by President Samia.
According to Heche, the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2002 (Chapter 32), grants the President broad powers over the commission’s operations, including discretion on whether its report is made public.
He argued that this structure limits the commission’s ability to operate independently, particularly in a context where the government itself is the subject of some of the allegations raised by the opposition.
He also reiterated CHADEMA’s stance that President Samia lacks the legitimacy to appoint such a commission.
These concerns, he noted, were also highlighted in observations by missions from the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which raised issues about transparency and fairness.
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