Commonwealth sets conditions for Tanzania amid concerns over violation of human rights

The decision was made during the seventy-first CMAG meeting held virtually on December 5, 2025, chaired by Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr Ian Borg.

The group raised concerns over the growing threats to democracy, rule of law, judicial independence, human rights, and democratic space in Tanzania, particularly before and after the recently-held elections which President Samia Suluhu won with 98 per cent of the vote. 

The meeting acknowledged a report from Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), and commended Commonwealth Secretary-General’s swift action in appointing former Malawian President Dr Lazarus Chakwera as a Special Envoy to assist the country.

However, the Commonwealth placed Tanzania on the formal agenda for its next meeting in March 2026, with any decision based on the country meeting four requirements.

These include full and unrestricted access for Chakwera to all relevant stakeholders, lifting of restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression, civil society, the media and the organization of an inter-party consultative forum to agree on a framework for the next election. 

The final requirement involves transparent, legal and administrative measures to hold perpetrators of violence accountable and compensate victims appropriately.

The group also requested that Suluhu's government provide the terms of reference for its Commission of Inquiry and asked the Secretary-General to report on progress regarding these conditions at the next CMAG meeting.

CMAG further encouraged Tanzania to utilize technical support from the Commonwealth to strengthen democratic stability, rule of law, separation of powers, constitutionalism, and good governance. 

The next CMAG meeting is scheduled for 7 March 2026 during Commonwealth Week in London.

The development follows President Suluhu’s recent strong statement on the unrest during election day, in which she said the events were orchestrated by foreign actors aiming to undermine Tanzania’s long-standing peace and destabilize its governance.

Her remarks came after the US government indicated it was reassessing its relations with Tanzania over the security agencies’ violent response to protesters.