Mass Killings Claim: Larry Madowo Seeks Unedited Footage of TZ Police Excesses

CNN journalist Larry Madowo has publicly called on Tanzanian citizens to send him raw footage of police actions during and after the 29 October General Elections. The appeal was made in a video posted via his X page.

Madowo stated that the footage is needed for a CNN report being prepared regarding events surrounding the ballot.

This unusual request comes amid reports that Tanzanian journalists faced significant restrictions in their work.

Madowo specifically noted that many local journalists lack the freedom to report the truth about the situation.

“Watanzania naomba usaidizi tunaandaa ripoti CNN kuhusu kilichotokea wakati wa uchaguzi na baada ya uchaguzi.Many have died, but many journalists in Tanzania do not have the freedom to tell the truth,” Madowo said.

Documenting Alleged Police Excesses

In the message, delivered in Kiswahili, Madowo asked for help to investigate what happened so that the story could be shared with the world.

He urged citizens to send videos they recorded themselves, emphasising that the footage should not have been forwarded by another person. He confirmed his direct messages (DM) inbox was open for submissions.

“Nitumie video kama ulirekodi wewe mwenyewe hujatumiwa na mwingine. Niko kwa inbox, DM iko wazi. Help us investigate what happened so we can tell the world. Asanteni sana.”

The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) also noted that journalists in the country "worked under restrictive reporting guidelines that curtailed press freedom".

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Furthermore, the mission noted a total internet shutdown during the mid-stage of the elections. The shutdown hindered citizens' access to information and limited observers' ability to report.

Amidst Claims of Mass Killings

Madowo’s call follows widespread protests and reports of deaths after the incumbent, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was declared the winner with an apparent 98% of the vote.

The violence was recorded in regions including Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Mwanza. The electoral environment, which started calmly, shifted to involve violent protests, gunfire, road closures, and tyre burning.

The main opposition party, Chadema, raised serious alarms over the situation. A party representative cited reports that up to 1,000 people were killed by police and unidentified security force personnel in the election aftermath.

Human Rights Watch has not been able to confirm this specific number. However, NGO Human Rights Watch concluded that authorities responded to protests with lethal force and other abuses.

Security forces reportedly used live ammunition against some opposition protests. The AU mission noted allegations of excessive use of force by police and military during election day protests.

AU Observers Slam Election Conduct

The AU observer mission released a preliminary report on the 29 October polls. The AU mission deployed 72 observers across 17 regions.

The report stated that the elections "did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections".

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The AU mission explicitly regretted the loss of lives that occurred following election day protests.

The observers concluded that the environment before, during, and after the election was not conducive to peaceful conduct. They urged security institutions in Tanzania to exercise restraint and respect human rights.

The observer mission further encouraged thorough and transparent investigations to ensure justice for those impacted by the deadly protests.

The integrity of the 2025 General Elections was compromised by several factors. These included the internet shutdown, irregularities like ballot counts not tallying, and instances of ballot stuffing.