Frontier Correspondent
Dar es Salam, Tanzania.
Hundreds are feared dead in Tanzania following violent clashes between security forces and protesters after a disputed general election, opposition leaders and witnesses said on Saturday.
The October 29 vote handed President Samia Suluhu Hassan a first full elected term under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which declared sweeping victories across the mainland and Zanzibar. The opposition has rejected the results, alleging fraud and intimidation.
In Zanzibar, CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi was declared winner with nearly 80% of the vote, though opposition groups said the poll was rigged and key candidates, including Chadema chairman Tundu Lissu, were barred from running. Lissu is currently on trial for treason.
Rights groups including Amnesty International said the run-up to the vote was marked by abductions, detentions, and disappearances of opposition figures and journalists. Foreign correspondents were denied access to many polling areas.
Protests erupted on election day in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, with demonstrators burning tires and tearing down ruling party posters. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, witnesses said.
Authorities imposed a 6 p.m. curfew on Thursday and deployed troops to major towns. An internet blackout that began during voting remained in place on Saturday, making casualty verification difficult.
Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka said about 700 people had been killed nationwide, including 350 in Dar es Salaam and more than 200 in Mwanza. A diplomatic source cited by the BBC estimated around 500 deaths, while the UN Human Rights Office reported “credible evidence” of at least 10.
Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, including Muhimbili National Hospital, have been overwhelmed with gunshot victims and other injuries, medical staff said.
Foreign Minister January Makamba denied allegations of excessive force, saying authorities had “no official figures” on casualties and blaming “hooligans” for inciting violence. Police chief Camilius Wambura said the curfew would remain until calm is restored.
The United States on Friday issued a Level 3 travel advisory, urging its citizens to “reconsider travel to Tanzania” due to widespread unrest, the ongoing internet shutdown, and reports of arbitrary detentions. The advisory warned that demonstrations “may turn violent without notice.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an independent investigation and urged Tanzanian authorities to respect human rights. Foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement condemning the violence and calling for dialogue.
Analysts said the crisis threatens to erode Tanzania’s democratic progress under Samia once praised for easing the authoritarian grip of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
With 67 million people and one of East Africa’s fastest-growing economies, Tanzania faces mounting discontent over unemployment and inequality — factors now spilling into the streets.