Tanzania Breaks Silence On CNN's Post-Election Massacre Report

Tanzania Breaks Silence On CNN’s Post-Election Massacre Report

The administration of the United Republic of Tanzania has responded to a frightening CNN exposé outlining the country’s instability.

In a brief public announcement issued on November 21, the state confirmed that it is analyzing and verifying the contents of CNN’s recent documentary detailing unrest following the country’s disputed October 29 presidential election.

CNN authenticated videos of crowded morgues, which corroborated witness allegations of huge casualties during the riots.

“The government of the United Republic of Tanzania has taken note of a documentary recently published by CNN regarding the events of October 29, 2025,” the notice signed by government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa reads.

Serikali ya Tanzania kupitia msemaji mkuu Gerson Msigwa imesema inafuatilia makala iliyochapishwa muda mfupi uliopita na chombo cha habari cha CNN kuhusu matukio ya tarehe 29 Oktoba na siku zilizofuata kwa kuhakiki maudhui na serikali itatoa tamko baada ya kukamilika kwa uhakiki. pic.twitter.com/AMPADSrHDT
— MwanaHALISI Digital (@Mwanahalisitz) November 21, 2025

“The government is currently reviewing and verifying the contents of the documentary.”

The source said that an official response would be released once the assessment was completed.

The announcement comes following a CNN examination with geolocated recordings, audio evidence, and witness statements.

The report detailed the level of unrest before and after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared victorious with 98% of the vote on October 29.

Some of her key challengers were forbidden from running, sparking protests around the country.

According to CNN, satellite photographs and videos indicate recently disturbed soil at Kondo Cemetery, north of Dar es Salaam, where human rights groups and witnesses believe some demonstrators’ bodies were buried in mass graves.

The authorities imposed a curfew and an internet blackout in the days following the election.

When connectivity was partially restored, police reportedly banned the sharing of photographs and videos that were likely to provoke panic.

The government first denied that any demonstrators had been slain.

Last week, President Suluhu acknowledged some casualties but did not offer details, establishing a commission to investigate the violence and implying that some demonstrators may have been bribed.

The President further suggested that some of the demonstrators were from a neighboring country.

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CNN claimed that the Tanzanian administration and police did not reply to demands for comment.

Geolocated videos from the scenes, audio forensic analysis of the shots fired and first-hand accounts from witnesses and victims document the brutality unleashed on young demonstrators following the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan – who claimed she won with 98% of… pic.twitter.com/VEl6voRo1J
— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) November 21, 2025

According to several sources, hundreds of demonstrators and bystanders may have been murdered, while an unknown number were injured or jailed.

CNN, along with open-source investigators, examined recordings and photographs of victims and congested morgues at Sekou-Toure Regional Referral Hospital in Mwanza and Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

“All had sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of the body, including the head, abdomen, chest, and limbs,” the doctor said.

Tanzania Breaks Silence On CNN’s Post-Election Massacre Report