Africa-Press – Tanzania. Tanzania has ‘acknowledged concerns’ raised by a group of Western diplomats who demanded that authorities release the bodies of victims of the October 29 violent clashes.
In a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on Saturday, Dodoma said it recognises the role of the international community in supporting democracy and political development, but said partners should also consider steps already taken by the government.
The Samia Suluhu Hassan administration has protested the move by the envoys to issue a tough-worded joint statement despite an early meeting where the concerns were discussed.
“Tanzania has noted with concern, particularly, the contents of these statements despite a candid engagement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tanzania, held on November 28, 2025,” it said.
The statement added, “The findings of the report will bring out understanding of the unfortunate events that occurred and form the basis of future constructive engagement. The government of the United Republic of Tanzania wishes to reassure the international community and development partners of its readiness and commitment to continue engagement on all matters of mutual interest as equal partners.”
However, Tanzania did not address the demand by envoys to facilitate families who lost their kin to obtain the bodies for burials and has failed to disclose the number of casualties from the four-day chaos as the country went on an internet blackout.
Last week, citing “credible reports”, 17 missions said there was “evidence of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests”, and the “concealment of bodies” by Tanzanian authorities during the unrest.
In a joint statement on December 5, the coalition of Western embassies in Tanzania urged President Samia Suluhu’s government to free political prisoners and allow detainees to get legal and medical help.
“We call on the authorities to urgently release all the bodies of the dead to their families,” the statement issued by the European Union delegation and several EU member countries said.
They include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union Delegation, Finland, France, Ghana, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States, and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
As the envoys pressed for answers, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) called out Tanzania, expressing concern over reported breaches of fundamental democratic values and human rights in the country.
The group issued the statement during the seventy-first CMAG meeting held virtually on December 5, 2025, chaired by Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr Ian Borg.
The meeting acknowledged a report from Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), and commended the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s swift action in appointing former Malawian President Dr Lazarus Chakwera as a Special Envoy to assist the country.
CMAG wants unrestricted access for Chakwera to all relevant stakeholders, lifting of restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression, civil society, the media and the organisation of an inter-party consultative forum to agree on a framework for the next election.
The team also requested that Suluhu’s government provide the terms of reference for its Commission of Inquiry and asked the Secretary-General to report on progress regarding these conditions at the next CMAG meeting.
