Tanzania has been thrown into turmoil after its disputed October 29 elections triggered nationwide unrest, with opposition groups claiming hundreds of deaths and international agencies calling for restraint. The main opposition party, Chadema, said on Friday that at least 700 people had been killed in post-election clashes, while the United Nations reported receiving “credible information” of at least ten fatalities caused by security forces. The government has not issued an official casualty count, saying only that security agencies are working to restore order after what it termed “isolated incidents.”
The violence erupted in Dar es Salaam and other major cities, including Mwanza and Arusha, after the election commission disqualified two major opposition parties from participating in the polls. Outrage grew when President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), declared victory amid widespread accusations of voter suppression and intimidation. Demonstrators took to the streets, setting vehicles, police posts, and a petrol station ablaze. In response, authorities deployed the military, imposed curfews, and cut internet access in several regions.
Chadema’s spokesperson, John Kitoka, accused the government of “orchestrating a massacre,” saying party members had visited hospitals and morgues nationwide to compile death figures. Reports from AFP and other agencies suggested similar tallies, though independent verification has proved difficult due to restricted media access and communications blackouts. UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango urged Tanzanian forces to refrain from excessive force and to prioritize de-escalation.
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The disputed vote underscores growing tensions under President Hassan, who took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. Despite early promises of reform, her administration has been accused of cracking down on dissent through arrests, intimidation, and censorship. Human Rights Watch and UN experts have for months warned that Tanzania’s election climate was deteriorating, citing the disappearance of activists and opposition members.
The disqualification of key opposition leaders Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo — both barred from the ballot on procedural grounds — fueled anger among young voters demanding change. The electoral commission’s decision to exclude them left only minor candidates to challenge Hassan, effectively guaranteeing CCM’s continued dominance since independence in 1961. The unrest has since spread beyond urban centers, prompting authorities to postpone the reopening of universities and colleges.
On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar, CCM’s candidate Hussein Mwinyi was re-elected with 78.8 percent of the vote amid opposition claims of “massive fraud.” The archipelago has remained calm but heavily militarized, with residents reporting visible army patrols.
The current wave of protests represents one of the most severe crises of Hassan’s presidency, highlighting deep frustration among Tanzanians over shrinking political freedoms and economic inequality. While international observers and human rights groups have urged the government to engage in dialogue with opposition forces, the administration has so far emphasized security operations and order restoration over reconciliation.
As demonstrations continue into their third day, the question now is whether Tanzania can move toward genuine reform or whether it will slide further into political repression. The situation remains volatile, with the UN and African Union monitoring developments closely amid fears of further escalation.
