Tanzanian authorities have lifted a nighttime curfew that had been in place in Dar es Salaam for several days following violent protests related to the recent presidential election. The unrest led to significant disruptions, including nationwide internet outages, closure of shops, and halts in public transportation, while prices for basic goods surged. As some shops began to reopen and traffic on the streets resumed, reports indicated that queues persisted at petrol stations.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in after being declared the election winner with 98% of the vote. However, the election has been criticized by observers from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) for not meeting democratic standards. Significant concerns were raised as major opposition leaders were prevented from running; Tundu Lissu is currently detained on treason charges, and Luhaga Mpina’s candidacy was rejected.
Reports of casualties from the unrest vary widely. Lissu’s Chadema party claimed over 800 deaths, while a diplomatic source cited credible evidence of at least 500 fatalities. The UN’s human rights office confirmed reports of at least ten deaths across three cities. The Tanzanian government has not released official casualty figures. Eyewitness accounts indicate that municipal vehicles have been collecting bodies from hospitals, and families of the deceased have reportedly not received information about their loved ones.
Human Rights Watch has accused the government of using lethal force against protesters and called for investigations into the violence. Meanwhile, Amnesty International expressed alarm over excessive force used to suppress dissent. The government has attributed some of the unrest to foreign nationals and emphasized that criminal activities during protests are being addressed.
During her inauguration, Hassan acknowledged the violence and loss of life while suggesting that the involvement of foreign nationals was not surprising. Her administration has been scrutinized for a perceived decrease in political freedoms since her initial rise to power in 2021.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp97jy3l77xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss