[PRESSWIRE] Geneva, Switzerland – 8 February, 2026 — The United Republic of Tanzania (URT) has reiterated its commitment to peace, democracy and respect for human rights while strengthening cooperation with the United Nations during high-level engagements in Geneva, officials said.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo delivered a message from President Samia Suluhu Hassan to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, outlining steps taken by the government following isolated incidents of violence during the Oct. 29, 2025 general elections.

Kombo said the government had engaged openly with international partners to address concerns arising from the elections, emphasizing Tanzania’s preference for dialogue, transparency and institutional processes.

He said an independent commission of inquiry had been established to examine the causes of the violence and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence, describing the move as part of broader efforts to strengthen confidence and accountability.

Kombo welcomed the strong working relationship with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and said Tanzania was ready to expand cooperation, including through technical assistance. He also invited Türk to visit Tanzania.

Minister of State in the President’s Office Palamagamba Kabudi said Tanzania remained firmly grounded in peace, tolerance, the rule of law and constitutional guarantees of human rights.

He described the election-related incidents as regrettable and limited in scope, saying they did not reflect the country’s broader human rights framework or longstanding commitment to democratic governance.

Kabudi called for continued international engagement in support of national efforts to promote reconciliation, healing and social cohesion.

Türk welcomed the direct engagement and praised President Samia’s decision to establish an independent commission of inquiry, describing it as a constructive step toward clarifying events and addressing concerns in a transparent manner.

He said the process provided a sound basis for fact-finding and expressed confidence in Tanzania’s ability to address the challenges. Türk added that Tanzania’s active participation in Geneva contributed to constructive cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.

As part of the same mission, Kombo and Kabudi met diplomats from countries serving on the U.N. Human Rights Council, providing updates on reforms and measures undertaken since the elections.

Kombo said the incidents were unexpected and occurred against the backdrop of Tanzania’s long tradition of promoting human dignity, democratic values and human rights, including its historic support for Africa’s liberation movements.

The ministers outlined a range of initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated ministry for youth welfare under the Office of the President, preparations for a national reconciliation process, steps toward constitutional review and the ongoing work of the commission of inquiry.

Kombo said the government was expanding investment in youth empowerment through entrepreneurship and skills development, access to concessional financing, tax incentives for employers, overseas employment facilitation and the development of innovation hubs.

Kabudi said Tanzania’s commitment to human rights and good governance remained steady despite emerging global challenges, including the misuse of digital platforms to incite unrest, adding that the government was focused on upholding the rule of law while adapting to a changing global environment.

Members of the Human Rights Council welcomed Tanzania’s engagement, noting its emphasis on dialogue and transparency.

Representatives from the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community commended Tanzania’s contribution to regional peace and mediation efforts and expressed readiness to continue cooperation.

The Tanzanian delegation said the Geneva meetings reflected President Samia’s policy of “sovereign pragmatism,” combining the protection of national interests with open, respectful engagement with international partners.

·      The United Republic of Tanzania (URT) engaged in high-level meetings in Geneva with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and members of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

·      Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo delivered a message from President Samia Suluhu Hassan to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk following isolated incidents of violence during Tanzania’s October 29, 2025 general elections.

·      The Tanzanian government has established an independent commission of inquiry to examine the causes of the election-related violence and recommend preventive measures.

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