Tanzania Election Protests have entered their third consecutive day as the political crisis deepens following a disputed national vote that has left the East African nation in turmoil. The opposition claims that hundreds of civilians have been killed by security forces, while the government insists that “no excessive force” has been used.
According to the Chadema opposition party, at least 700 people have died across the country, with most casualties reported in Dar-es-Salaam and Mwanza. “As we speak, the number of deaths in Dar-es-Salaam is around 350, and more than 200 in Mwanza,” said party spokesperson John Kitoka, who added that members had visited hospitals nationwide to compile their figures.
The United Nations, however, has cited “credible reports” of at least 10 confirmed deaths, urging restraint and accountability. UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango called on Tanzanian security forces to refrain from using “unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons,” and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo dismissed the opposition’s claims, denying that large-scale killings have occurred. “Currently, no excessive force has been used,” Kombo told Al Jazeera. “I’ve not seen these 700 anywhere … There’s no number until now of any protesters killed.” He confirmed isolated “pockets of violence” and “vandalism” against government property, including burned utility offices and damaged infrastructure.
Kombo emphasized that the government was acting within the law to restore peace and protect citizens’ safety, claiming that certain groups were “deliberately spreading false information to destabilize the country.” He added that the authorities were “committed to maintaining national unity” and urged citizens to avoid “being manipulated by external influences” aiming to “undermine the democratic process.”
The foreign minister also said that investigations had been launched into the destruction of public infrastructure and attacks on security officers. “We will not tolerate acts of lawlessness or violence against government institutions,” he warned. Kombo reiterated that Tanzania’s democratic institutions remain “strong and stable” despite the unrest and that “dialogue, not destruction,” was the path forward for resolving political disputes.
Protests erupted shortly after the October 29 election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), continue its decades-long grip on power. Opposition groups were largely barred from participating, including the major parties Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, both disqualified by the national electoral commission earlier this year.
Demonstrators have flooded the streets of Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, and other cities, defying curfews and risking arrest as they demand electoral reforms. Witnesses reported seeing fires, damaged vehicles, and heavy clashes between protesters and police. The government has since deployed the military and imposed an internet shutdown, cutting off access to social media and communication platforms.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into allegations of excessive force and disappearances in the lead-up to and aftermath of the vote. His office expressed concern over reports of detentions, abductions, and enforced disappearances targeting opposition figures and journalists.
Rights watchdogs have been warning for months about rising repression in Tanzania. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and a panel of UN experts previously reported more than 200 disappearances since 2019, along with increasing instances of politically motivated violence, harassment, and media censorship. HRW’s South Africa researcher Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka cautioned that Tanzania’s elections were at “great risk,” urging the government to “stop muzzling dissenting voices and engage in meaningful reforms.”
In Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago, the ruling CCM also claimed victory, with incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi reportedly winning 78.8% of the vote. Opposition leaders have rejected the results, alleging “massive fraud” and vowing to reveal their next steps. The island remained tense but largely calm under heavy military presence.
As unrest spreads nationwide, the Tanzanian government has postponed the reopening of universities and colleges, citing safety concerns. The army chief, General Jacob John Mkunda, announced that the military is working alongside police to “contain the situation” and restore order.
The political climate in Tanzania has drawn international attention, coming amid a series of controversial elections across Africa, including in Ivory Coast and Cameroon, where leaders have sought to extend their rule.
For now, the streets of Dar-es-Salaam remain a flashpoint — filled with defiant protesters demanding democracy and accountability, as the world watches whether Tanzania can pull back from the brink of political violence.
Source: Al Jazeera
