Introduction
On 29th September 2025, Human Rights Watch released a report documenting intensified political repression in Tanzania ahead of the general elections scheduled for 29th October 2025. The report corroborated findings by Tanzanian human rights organisations and revealed a pattern of state-led intimidation and rights violations. The Legal and Human Rights Centre recorded around 100 cases of abductions and enforced disappearances between 2015 and February 2025. Human Rights Watch separately documented 10 incidents since mid-2024 in which authorities allegedly harassed, assaulted, abducted, or tortured HRDs, opposition members, lawyers, and religious leaders. The report further highlighted systematic voter suppression in Zanzibar, where thousands of voters reportedly struggled to obtain the Zanzibari identity cards required for registration and access to public services. Local officials were accused of withholding cards from individuals perceived as opposition supporters. Journalists and activists described a pervasive climate of censorship and fear, with the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) cited as a key instrument of state control. The findings point to an increasingly hostile environment for political participation, free expression, and independent journalism in the run-up to the 2025 elections.
Association
Opposition faces more disqualifications from 2025 electoral participation
Tanzania’s electoral process came under scrutiny after the National Electoral Commission disqualified opposition party The Alliance for Change and Transparency’s (ACT-Wazalendo) presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina. A former minister under the late President John Magufuli, Mpina was first barred from contesting after the Registrar of Political Parties claimed his nomination breached the party’s internal procedures in August. The High Court later ruled on 11th September that the commission must operate independently and accept his nomination, which it did two days later. However, on 15th September, the commission reversed its decision, citing an objection from the Attorney General.
The Electoral Commission’s move to disqualify ACT-Wazalendo’s candidate underscores a growing and alarming trend of sidelining opposition voices and tightening control over the country’s political landscape. This latest incident follows the Commission’s earlier decision in April 2025 to bar the Chadema party from contesting the upcoming elections. As previously documented, Chadema party leader, Tindu Lissu, remains behind bars since April this year after he was arrested and charged with treason for calling for a boycott of the upcoming elections.
Opposition figures and government critics face abductions
Incidents of violence and intimidation against government critics and opposition figures continue to raise serious human rights concerns. On 2nd May 2025, unidentified individuals abducted opposition activist Mpaluka Nyagali, known as Mdude, from his home in Mbeya. Despite his wife filing a habeas corpus petition (a legal petition demanding that a detained person be brought before a court to determine whether their detention is lawful), the Mbeya High Court dismissed the case on 9th July, and his whereabouts remain unknown. The police have denied any involvement.
In a similar vein, on 6th October 2025, the family of former diplomat and government critic Humphrey Polepole reported a violent break-in at his Dar es Salaam residence, finding the door forced open, electrical wiring cut, and traces of blood at the scene. Images and videos shared by the family indicated signs of a struggle. The incident occurred less than three months after Polepole’s sister was abducted, beaten, and later released in Dar es Salaam, raising fears of a pattern of intimidation. His family reported the case, and his lawyer filed a habeas corpus petition the following day. Police confirmed seizing items from his home as part of their investigation and claimed Polepole had been summoned for questioning by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over online statements. While authorities said they were verifying the abduction claims, the incident underscores growing concerns over enforced disappearances, harassment of dissenting voices, and persistent impunity in Tanzania. Polepole, formerly a senior member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, had resigned from his diplomatic post earlier in 2025 after accusing the government of undermining justice and constitutionalism.
Expression
Government reins in on digital spaces through administrative directives
In May 2025, TCRA shut down more than 80,000 websites, social media accounts, blogs, and online platforms, citing the publication of “unethical content” deemed harmful to children’s mental health. While the government justified the move as a measure to protect minors, the scale and lack of transparency surrounding the decision raised concerns about excessive regulation and censorship of online spaces.
Since May, the Tanzanian government has restricted access to X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming the platform spreads pornographic content, and imposed similar blocks on Clubhouse and Telegram. These restrictions have narrowed digital spaces for communication and public participation, limiting citizens’ ability to share and access information freely. The move indicates a broader pattern of digital control, where the state invokes moral or security concerns to justify measures that undermine freedom of expression and online civic engagement.
On 27th May 2025, The Chanzo, an independent digital media outlet in Tanzania, announced that it had removed an article covering a 24th May 2025 press conference on abductions by Bishop Gwajima following a directive from TCRA. The order to take down the report illustrates the increasing use of regulatory mechanisms to limit independent journalism and suppress reporting on sensitive issues.
A similar incident was reported on 6th September 2025, when the TCRA suspended JamiiForums, a well-known online platform for public debate and whistleblowing, for 90 days. The authority accused the platform of publishing content that allegedly misled the public and disrespected the government and the president.
These incidents highlight the shrinking media space in Tanzania, where administrative directives are being employed to undermine press freedom and restrict the public’s access to information on matters of accountability and human rights.
Government critics face blatant attacks, arrests
On 16th June in Dar es Salaam, unidentified attackers severely assaulted Japhet Matarra, a vocal government critic on X, leaving him unconscious. While receiving treatment in hospital, assailants disguised as medical staff attempted to attack him again before fleeing.
On 20th June 2025, police officers detained Janeth Rithe, the women’s wing chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo after she criticised the government during a campaign rally, alleging that the president had misrepresented the state of the economy and that the ruling party was operating a police state. Rithe voluntarily presented herself to the police after officers arrived at the party’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam seeking her arrest. She was held in custody before being released without charge on 23rd June 2025.