A senior Commonwealth envoy has concluded a high-level visit to Tanzania, pressing leaders to address tensions following the disputed October 29th, 2025, general elections.
According to a statement released on April 17th, 2026, by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the mission was requested by the 71st Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which placed Tanzania on its formal agenda.
Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the former President of Malawi and Special Envoy of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, was tasked with engaging key stakeholders on political freedoms, electoral reform, and accountability after post-election protests and violence.
He also explored ways to establish dialogue between political parties and support transparent national reconciliation efforts.
Dr. Chakwera held consultations in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Zanzibar, where he met President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, senior government officials, judicial leaders, and electoral authorities.
He also met leaders of all 19 political parties, including detained CHADEMA chairman Tundu Lissu, as well as civil society groups, diplomats, and representatives of youth and women.
“I would like to thank Tanzania for its gracious hospitality and the patriotism that was displayed throughout my mission,” Dr. Chakwera said.
Dr. Chakwera said lasting peace and prosperity in Tanzania will depend on goodwill, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to truth, accountability, inclusive dialogue, justice, and democratic reforms, while also welcoming continued support from partners.
“While I await the findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry, I agree with Tanzanians that peace and prosperity must rest on goodwill, mutual respect, truth, accountability, dialogue, justice, and inclusive democratic reforms, and I thank Tanzania for accepting our support,” he noted.
Dr. Chakwera’s findings will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and will inform an upcoming CMAG briefing.
