AU condemns Tanzania elections as undemocratic, urges reforms

2025-11-03T154754Z_1716400484_RC2YOHARER03_RTRMADP_3_TANZANIA-ELECTION

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan holds a spear and a shield during her swearing-in ceremony in Dodoma, Tanzania, November 3, 2025. 

Photo credit: Reuters

The African Union observer mission has declared Tanzania’s October 29 general elections fell short of democratic standards, even as the Catholic Church called for prayers for those killed in post-election violence.

In a preliminary statement dated November 5, 2025, mission head and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the polls failed to meet minimum international democratic norms.