DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — August 7, 2026 — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday launched a commission of inquiry to investigate violence and alleged violations of the law during and after the country’s October 2025 general election, urging the public to cooperate with the panel and allow it to carry out its work independently.
The commission has been given five months to complete its investigations and submit its findings, although the period may be extended if necessary.
Speaking at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said the inquiry would be a demanding task requiring careful and thorough investigation.
“I strongly urge Tanzanians to support this commission and not interfere with its work,” she said.
The commission was established under Tanzania’s Commissions of Inquiry Act, following recommendations by an earlier presidential commission that investigated incidents of violence and breaches of peace linked to the October 29, 2025 general election.
The earlier inquiry was chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, whose report and recommendations were received by President Samia on April 23, 2026.
President Samia said the new commission would seek to establish who instigated, participated in or financed acts of violence during and after the election, with any necessary accountability measures to be taken in accordance with the law.
She said Tanzania had invited judges from Uganda and Namibia to serve on the commission in an effort to bring broader perspectives and strengthen transparency in the investigation.
Commission Members
The commission is chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Shaaban Ali Lila, who previously served as Chief Judge of the High Court of Tanzania.
According to Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr. Moses Kusiluka, Justice Lila also served as Resident Judge of the Mtwara Zone and as Registrar of the High Court in the Mbeya, Dar es Salaam and Arusha zones.
Namibia is represented by Justice Petrus Damaseb, Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the High Court of Namibia. He has also served as a judge of Namibia’s Supreme Court, Head of Public Service, Judge of Appeal in Lesotho and Acting Judge of Appeal in Botswana.
Uganda’s representative is Justice Barishaki Cheborion, a judge of Uganda’s Court of Appeal and of the Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice.
He has previously served on several commissions of inquiry in Uganda, including investigations into alleged human rights violations, the burning of the Kasubi Tombs and corruption allegations in Mbarara.
Other members include retired Justice Gadi Mjema, former Executive Secretary of Tanzania’s Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and former Chairperson of the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
The panel also includes retired Justice Awadh Mohamed Bawazir, a former chief investigator and commander with Tanzania’s Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, and retired Justice Aishieli Nelson Sumari, who previously served as Resident Judge of the High Court in Moshi and Mwanza.
Justice Sumari also served as Assistant Director responsible for fraud and corruption offences at the Office of the Attorney General.
The commission will be supported by a six-member secretariat headed by Paul Kadushi. Ambassador Kusiluka said preparations for the commission to begin its work had been completed.
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