Dar es Salaam. The Commission of Inquiry into violence and breaches of the law during and after the October 2025 General Election says it is independent and President Samia Suluhu Hassan cannot direct how it conducts its work.
Commission chairman Justice Shaban Ally Lila said the Commission of Inquiry Act gives the President powers to appoint commissioners and set their terms of reference, but does not allow her to interfere with their investigations.
“Once you give it the authority through the terms of reference in accordance with the law, the commission conducts its work independently according to the procedures it has established,” he said.
Justice Lila said the commission would gather information, complete its investigation and submit its report to the President, who would decide how to act on its findings in accordance with the law.
“There is nowhere where we are allowed to be interfered with by anyone or anything other than the law,” he said.
The chairman said the commission could summon anyone believed to have relevant information and, where necessary, compel them to provide evidence.
He said the commission’s mandate differed from that of the inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, which investigated violence and breaches of peace surrounding the October 29, 2025 election.
According to Justice Lila, the Chande commission focused on establishing the nature and circumstances of the violence, while the current commission has a broader mandate to investigate those responsible.
“Our commission has been tasked with identifying those who planned, coordinated, funded and carried out the violence, as well as examining the injuries, deaths and the amount of force used in controlling the violence,” he said.
The commission will also investigate allegations of excessive use of force, people being shot outside areas where violence occurred, and cases of people who went missing during and after the election.
Justice Lila said protecting witnesses would be a priority, with some proceedings potentially held privately where necessary.
He urged individuals and institutions to help raise awareness about witness protection, saying some people might be reluctant to testify publicly if they feared for their safety.
“The law gives witnesses the opportunity to be protected when they come forward to provide information,” he said.
The six-member commission has 150 days from its launch to complete its investigation and submit its report.
