DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (BN24) — About 700 people have reportedly died following days of violent protests over Tanzania’s presidential election, the opposition Chadema party has claimed. The protests, which erupted on Wednesday, were sparked by widespread accusations that the ruling party had stifled opposition, particularly through the exclusion of key candidates from the presidential ballot.
John Kitoka, a spokesperson for Chadema, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the situation was dire, particularly in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, where the death toll was believed to be around 350 and 200, respectively. He warned that the true toll could be even higher due to killings that may have occurred during a government-imposed nighttime curfew.
“We believe the number could be closer to 700, possibly even 800 when including deaths across other regions,” Kitoka said, adding that party members had been collecting reports directly from hospitals and health clinics, counting bodies as they went. Amnesty International, however, reported a much lower toll of at least 100 deaths.
The violence followed intense protests on election day, where demonstrators voiced their anger over the exclusion of opposition leaders such as Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo from the race. Lissu, a former presidential candidate, was arrested earlier this year on charges of treason and cybercrimes, while Mpina, a key opposition figure, was also barred from contesting.
In response to the unrest, Tanzanian security forces launched a harsh crackdown on demonstrators. The country’s army chief, Gen. Jacob John Mkunda, condemned the protests, labeling demonstrators as “criminals” and vowing to restore order. Reports from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) indicate that security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters, with at least 10 confirmed deaths resulting from gunfire.
The protests, which were initially concentrated in Dar es Salaam, have since spread to other parts of the country, including Shinyanga in the northwest and Morogoro in the east. Internet access has been cut off nationwide, with global watchdog NetBlocks confirming the countrywide disruption.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the OHCHR, have condemned the use of force by the Tanzanian government. The OHCHR has called for security forces to refrain from using excessive force and urged protesters to remain peaceful. Human rights lawyer Tito Magoti also criticized the government’s handling of the protests, labeling the violence as “unjustified” and urging President Samia Suluhu Hassan to stop deploying police against her own people.
Suluhu, who assumed office following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in March 2021, was widely expected to consolidate power during this election cycle. However, the exclusion of prominent opposition figures has led to claims that the election was neither free nor fair.
Kitoka of Chadema reiterated his party’s call for a transitional government to oversee the election process, stressing the need for electoral justice. “We cannot vote for one candidate. The people have spoken,” he said, demanding that the government respect the will of the Tanzanian people and cease the violent repression of peaceful protests.
As the protests continue, Tanzania’s political future remains uncertain, with widespread fears that the government’s heavy-handed response will only fuel more unrest in the coming days.
