ICC Urged to Investigate Tanzanian President

A coalition of lawyers and human rights activists has formally petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an investigation into Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan over what they describe as systematic post-election killings by government forces. The action seeks accountability for widespread alleged abuses against the civilian population.

The petition was submitted by organizations including the Human Rights Institute, the Madrid Bar Association, Intelwatch, and the World Jurist Association. They are demanding a thorough probe into a chronicled series of human rights violations following the recent general elections.

Juan Carlos Gutierrez, the attorney representing the petitioners, claimed President Samia Suluhu Hassan “bears ultimate responsibility for the crimes.” He further alleged that the President “explicitly authorized violence against civilians.”

The petitioners provided the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor with substantiating information concerning what they termed “crimes against humanity.” These abuses allegedly include the murder of thousands of civilians by security forces, orchestrated disappearances, acts of sexual violence, the torture of detainees, and the forced displacement of Maasai communities.

The formal request argues that the violent attacks were conducted “with the direct participation of the highest levels of the Tanzanian government,” including the President and her security apparatus.

The human rights bodies urged the ICC to ensure justice for various groups, including protesters who were allegedly murdered for demanding electoral integrity, activists who disappeared while advocating for human rights, and journalists who were reportedly tortured for documenting the truth.

Meanwhile, imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who serves as the Chadema Chairman, has spoken out from Ukonga Prison in Dar es Salaam, where he is being held on treason charges. He reiterated his firm stance that the October 29 election was severely lacking in democratic and international standards.

Lissu pointed to damning assessments from international bodies, citing reports from both the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

He declared that the electoral process fundamentally undermined the ability of citizens to exercise their democratic rights freely, concluding unequivocally: “Samia Suluhu Hassan is not a legitimate President of our country.”

The AU election monitoring mission concluded that the election failed to comply with normative frameworks and international standards, citing that the political environment did not provide the conditions necessary for a peaceful or credible process.

The SADC observer mission also decried heavy restrictions placed on media and freedom of expression during the period, noting unusually low voter turnout at numerous polling stations. Ultimately, the electoral commission declared Hassan the winner with 98% of the vote.