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Opposition claims 700 dead in post-election clashes as internet blackout persists
At least 700 people have been killed in three days of violent protests across Tanzania following Wednesday's contentious general election, the main opposition party Chadema alleged Friday, though verification remains impossible due to a nationwide internet shutdown. Diplomatic sources suggest fatalities may exceed 500, while the UN confirms at least 10 deaths amid calls for security forces to show restraint.
Protests spread despite military warnings
Demonstrations continued Friday in Dar es Salaam's Salasala, Yombo, and Tegeta neighborhoods, defying a stern warning from army chief Gen. Jacob John Mkunda, who labeled protesters "criminals" during a Thursday televised address. Mkunda claimed the military had "controlled the situation," though eyewitnesses and hospital sources paint a grimmer picture.
A referral hospital insider told the BBC its facilities were "overwhelmed" with casualties since Thursday, with morgues reportedly at capacity across the city. Other public hospitals face similar strains, though officials refuse to disclose figures. The government has extended curfews in an attempt to suppress the unrest.
Election marred by opposition exclusions and low turnout
The protests erupted after key opposition figures-including jailed presidential candidate Tundu Lissu (charged with treason, which he denies) and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo (disqualified on technicalities)-were barred from challenging incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan. International observers noted "incredibly low" voter turnout during Wednesday's poll, while results trickled in slowly: by Friday afternoon, only 80 of 272 regions had reported tallies via state broadcaster TBC.
Hassan, Tanzania's first female president and leader of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, is widely expected to secure re-election. Official results are due Saturday. On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar-where CCM's incumbent Hussein Mwinyi won nearly 80% of the vote-opposition groups alleged "massive fraud," according to AP.
Communications collapse strands tourists, halts flights
The internet blackout has paralyzed daily life, cutting off social media, mobile payments, ride-hailing apps, and international calls. Kenyan publicist Anyiko Owoko, stranded for three days, described the shutdown as a "total disconnect" in an Instagram post after finally boarding a Kenya Airways flight Friday. "No Ubers, no Bolts, no text messages-even Tanzania's national airline was grounded," she wrote. Tourists on Zanzibar also reported flight delays amid the mainland chaos.
International pressure mounts
The UN's human rights spokesperson, Seif Magango, urged Tanzanian security forces to avoid "unnecessary or disproportionate force," while foreign embassies reportedly pressed the government for restraint. Hassan, who initially eased political repression after assuming office in 2021 following President John Magufuli's death, now faces accusations of reviving crackdowns-including arrests, abductions, and media restrictions.
"Some people went to the streets on 29 October and committed criminal acts. These are criminals and the criminal acts should be stopped immediately."
Gen. Jacob John Mkunda, Tanzanian army chief, state TV (Thursday)
"Internet, shops, petrol stations, email, social media-everything was down. Total disconnect."
Anyiko Owoko, Kenyan publicist stranded in Tanzania, via Instagram
