KHRC backs push for African Court judgment over Tanzania’s contested elections
By Faith Lagat, February 2, 2026The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has backed renewed calls for the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to urgently deliver judgment in a long-pending case challenging alleged electoral violations by the Government of Tanzania during the October 28, 2020 general elections.
In a statement posted on X on February 2, 2026, KHRC referenced an application filed by the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) urging the Arusha-based court to issue its ruling without further delay.
KHRC linked the unresolved case to Tanzania’s October 29, 2025, elections, which it described as a sham election and coronation exercise characterised by widespread rights violations.
The commission said the prolonged delay in delivering judgment had undermined accountability and weakened protections for democratic participation in Tanzania.
Civil society’s concern
Pressure for action was amplified in a detailed press release issued on February 2, 2026 by the Pan-African Solidarity Network, a coalition of regional civil society organisations representing PALU and Tanzanian citizens involved in the case.
The network said an earlier ruling could have deterred serious abuses reported before and after the 2025 elections, which it said resulted in the killing of thousands of people.
Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, one of the counsel on record, criticised the delay in strong terms: “This case was filed in November 2020 – over five years ago. While it has been pending, Tanzania held another general election. Some of our original plaintiffs have sadly died.”
“The Court had fixed judgment for June 26, 2025, but the day before, the Government surreptitiously moved to arrest the judgment. Continued delay risks irreparable damage to the African Court’s institutional credibility.”
Although pleadings closed in September 2025, the court has yet to announce a new date for judgment delivery.
Background
The current petition is the fifth election-related case filed against Tanzania at the African Court. In three previous rulings issued in 2013, 2020, and 2023, the court found violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ordered reforms, including allowing independent candidates, restoring judicial oversight over presidential election disputes, and regulating electoral appointments.
The government has faced criticism for failing to fully implement those rulings.
Filed on November 20, 2020 by six Tanzanian applicants, including opposition officials, candidates, and voters, the case cites multiple violations, among them barring courts from hearing presidential election petitions, arbitrary detention and suspension of opposition candidates, disqualification of parliamentary contenders, violence against opposition supporters, vote-buying, ballot-stuffing, irregular vote counting, and suppression of independent media and internet services.