By Faith Lagat.
A video dated May 12, 2026, with 114k views and the caption “Kila Kona ni matafaki” is circulating on X, claiming that the European Parliament demanded the forceful removal of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan over alleged killings and post-election violence in Tanzania.
The post uses clips from a European Parliament debate with a caption that reads: “E.U. CONGRESS DEMANDS FORCEFUL REMOVAL OF SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN OVER ALLEGED KILLINGS.”
Background
The parliamentary discussions followed reports of post-election violence, opposition crackdowns, internet restrictions, arbitrary arrests, and alleged human rights violations in Tanzania. Ideally, Tanzanian police are mandated to enable peaceful protests, protect demonstrators and the public, enforce the law proportionally, and only intervene with minimum force when there is a clear threat to safety or public order.
However, Tanzanian security forces, including police and military personnel, were accused by rights groups and monitors of responding to largely peaceful protests with excessive force, including live ammunition, tear gas, and beatings.
Casualty figures remain contested. Opposition parties such as Chadema and some rights groups claimed between hundreds and several thousand deaths, while a Tanzanian government commission of inquiry in April 2026 reported 518 unnatural deaths, including 197 caused by gunshot wounds. UN experts and international monitors also cited estimates of at least hundreds killed, alongside widespread injuries.
Authorities carried out widespread arrests, with reports indicating that 240 people, including children, were charged with treason in the initial weeks after the election. There were also allegations of abductions, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions. A nationwide internet shutdown from 29 October to approximately 3–4 November 2025, alongside curfews and severe media restrictions, significantly limited independent reporting and documentation of events.
The X account, InexorablesoG, belongs to Marcus, a Tanzanian political commentator, with about 4,600 followers. Posting in both Swahili and English, the account focuses on opposition politics, especially Chadema and Tundu Lissu, through analytical commentary, threads, memes, and political discussions often critical of official narratives.
Also the E.U does not have a congress but a parliament. The European Parliament is the European Union’s only directly elected institution, representing citizens across all 27 member states. It plays a central role in debating and passing EU laws, approving the EU budget alongside the Council, overseeing the European Commission, and promoting democracy, human rights, free speech, and fair elections globally.
A review of official European Parliament resolutions and debate records shows that lawmakers strongly condemned alleged post-election violence, repression, killings, arbitrary detentions, abductions and enforced disappearances in Tanzania, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and other political prisoners.
It also urged the freezing of EU funds channelled through state-controlled entities, demanded an independent and credible investigation into alleged human rights abuses, and supported calls for new, free and credible elections, while insisting that the European Union should not subsidise oppression or shield those in power from accountability.
Verification
Using Google Lens reverse image search, Piga Firimbi established that the circulating clip is authentic and originates from a real European Parliament debate held around November 26–27, 2025, concerning the political situation in Tanzania following the October 29, 2025, general elections.
The debate was also shared on a YouTube account under titles such as “MEP on the situation in Tanzania (Free Tundu Lissu Now!)”, featuring contributions from lawmakers, including David McAllister.
However, the Parliament did not demand the forceful removal of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Instead, lawmakers condemned alleged human rights abuses, called for investigations and sanctions, and pushed for democratic reforms and the release of opposition figures, including Tundu Lissu.
Despite the strong criticism directed at Tanzanian authorities, there is no evidence that the European Parliament called for the “forceful removal,” overthrow, or ouster of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
No official resolution, parliamentary statement, or credible media report from the debate contains language advocating regime change or military intervention.
Verdict
Claims that the European Parliament demanded the forceful removal of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan are FALSE.
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