The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, founded by Thabo Mbeki, who led South Africa from 1999 to 2008, has offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and were injured in the protests that followed the presidential election in Tanzania on October 29, 2025.
In a statement released by the foundation on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the CEO, Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation expressed their condolences to all the families who lost loved ones during the protests that took place in the country after the election.
The statement reads: “We express our condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the protests that took place after the election, and we also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The organization continued by saying that following the protests, various observers, including those from the AU, declared that the elections held in Tanzania did not comply with SADC and AU democratic principles and international standards regarding freedom of elections.
SADC and AU observers have said that the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were marred by violence and fraud, and that the elections were conducted in an irregular manner, reducing the freedom of the electorate.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation also said that this was a matter of concern due to the violence against CCM opponents, including kidnappings and killings.
The organization argues that the conflict in Tanzania can be resolved through a national dialogue process to jointly examine what went wrong and what can be done to restore the country to normal.
“We sincerely request this, believing that it is the only way that can help society unite around the shared goals of justice, progress and national unity.”
