ACT Wazalendo Rejects Chande Commission Report, Calls for Sweeping Reforms

Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo has rejected the findings of the Chande Commission report on the October 2025 killings, terming it inadequate and calling for far-reaching political, legal and institutional reforms.

In a press statement issued following a National Central Committee meeting held on May 3, 2026, the party said it “maintains its position of rejecting both the Chande Commission and its report,” accusing it of failing to deliver accountability.

“As previously stated, the Commission was established to sanitise those responsible for the October 2025 killings rather than to hold them accountable,” the statement read.

The party argued that the report shields perpetrators and fails to assign responsibility to security agencies despite acknowledging that more than 518 people were killed during the unrest.

“It is unreasonable that the Commission failed to call for accountability of the security forces,” ACT Wazalendo said.

The opposition outfit further accused the Commission of misrepresenting public grievances, claiming it portrayed legitimate concerns as orchestrated violence while ignoring alleged electoral injustices that it said triggered the crisis.

“The Commission ignores electoral injustice as the root cause of the conflict and instead concludes that the October 2025 protests were planned and funded,” the statement added.

ACT Wazalendo also criticised the Commission for what it termed as delaying justice by recommending the formation of another body instead of conclusively identifying those responsible for the killings.

The party raised concerns over the composition of the Commission, alleging that some of its members were part of the system that contributed to the crisis.

Beyond rejecting the report, ACT Wazalendo outlined a raft of proposed measures, including the establishment of an independent international investigation under bodies such as the United Nations, African Union or the Southern African Development Community.

It also called for the immediate release of individuals detained for political reasons, including opposition leader Tundu Lissu, and the creation of a national support programme for victims covering financial, medical, psychological and legal assistance.

The party further demanded accountability for senior government and security officials, including the Director of National Intelligence, Inspector General of Police, Registrar of Political Parties and officials of the electoral commission, as well as regional and district commissioners in affected areas.

In the medium term, ACT Wazalendo proposed the depoliticisation of security institutions, dissolution of the current electoral commission, and enactment of a new independent electoral law.

It also called for the repeal of the Political Parties Act and implementation of recommendations from past reform commissions, including the Justice Francis Nyalali Commission.

On long-term reforms, the party advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the public service to ensure professionalism and independence from political influence.

The opposition group also pushed for the immediate commencement of a process to draft a new constitution, including legal reforms, a national consultative conference, and the formation of a committee of experts.

“The lives of 518 citizens lost, the 245 individuals still missing, and the future of our nation demand decisive action,” the statement said.

ACT Wazalendo concluded by urging authorities to choose a path of “truth, accountability and justice” over what it described as impunity and repression.