Human Rights Watch warned that Tanzania’s Oct. 29, 2025 elections face serious risks due to intensified repression. The group cited suppression of opposition parties, media restrictions, politically motivated assaults, abductions, and harassment of activists and religious leaders. It reported 10 recent cases of abuse and noted that the electoral commission barred Chadema and disqualified other candidates, raising doubts about its independence. HRW urged reforms, investigations into attacks, and protection of rights to ensure credible polls.

Tanzania’s general election campaigns highlighted parties’ plans to achieve the trillion-dollar Vision 2050 economy. CCM detailed projects in infrastructure, agriculture, industry, energy, and digital development, aiming to boost GDP and create formal jobs. CHAUMMA focused on fiscal discipline, transparency, inclusivity, and equitable access to services. In Zanzibar, CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi visited Malindi Market, pledging support for entrepreneurs and fishers and improved trade facilities, while promoting small-business growth and market modernization.

Zanzibar’s Electoral Commission (ZEC) closed its permanent voter register with 717,557 eligible voters for the October election, striking 8,325 names for ineligibility. Women comprise 53% of the electorate, and youth aged 18–35 make up 45%. ZEC will run 457 main polling stations and 1,752 sub-stations, including 50 special early-voting stations for security personnel and officials. ACT-Wazalendo criticized early voting as a potential fraud risk, while ZEC defended it as necessary.

Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to peace and diplomatic conflict resolution at the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in New York. Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, highlighted progress under the African Peace and Security Architecture and African Governance Architecture. He noted the extension of the Silencing the Guns initiative to 2030, emphasizing continued efforts to achieve lasting peace across the continent.

Tanzania and Hungary have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement between SmartLab Limited and Hungary’s MeOut Group includes establishing Living Labs in Tanzania, piloting AI solutions in agriculture, climate adaptation, and digital inclusion, and training youth, women, and SMEs in digital skills. Officials said the partnership strengthens Africa-Europe collaboration and positions Tanzania as a regional hub for AI and innovation.