Target: Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania
Goal: End reported deadly retaliation against protesters and opposition leaders.
Suppression defined the African nation of Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election, and the aftermath proved catastrophic. Candidates and opposition voices were allegedly abducted, arrested, and possibly even killed in the run-up to the election. Electoral interference was widely suspected. Internet outages were equally widespread. But perhaps the most devastating repercussions came to the thousands of citizens who took to the streets to protest the contested reelection of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In the midst of protests that erupted on election day and continued for days after, an estimated 700 people were killed. A brutal crackdown overseen by the president’s son reportedly caused this violence, although officials deny the allegations of excessive force. Tensions were further inflamed after more allegations emerged that dead bodies were being taken away to parts unknown in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.
The administration has tried to draw attention away from its increasingly horrific track record on human rights by touting supposed economic reforms, but turning a blind eye to atrocities for short-term gains is a recipe for long-term disaster. Sign the petition below to urge an immediate return to the human rights progress promised by this country’s controversial leaders.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Hassan,
The initial months of the Hassan presidency signaled much-needed reform and hope. Opposition voices were welcomed, media repression largely eased, and pledges of reconciliation were abundant. But hope faded as regressive and brutal actions of predecessors reportedly made an insidious return. This regression culminated in chaotic and tragic weeks of protests that saw the people lose their voices, their freedoms, and – in too many cases – their lives.
If you truly desire a new and better legacy, then heed the calls to end oppressive curfews, internet outages, and enforced disappearances. Honor the individuals who lost their lives to make their voices heard by helping families desperately worried about the fate of their loved ones find closure. And once again open the doors of compromise, of constructive dialogue, and of a nation that must stand united before it can ever achieve the economic and social stability its people so desperately crave.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Anete Lusina
