Tanzania election: Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania’s presidential election, securing her another term amid days of unrest across the country.
The Tanzania election commission reported that Samia received 98% of the votes. In her victory speech, Samia said the election was “free and democratic” and accused the protesters of being “traitors”.
Election is considered controversial as prominent opposition leaders were either disqualified or arrested. The election was followed by massive demonstrations, with citizens denouncing the voting process as “unfair” and protesting in the streets. The violence saw internet shutdowns, curfews, deployment of security forces and unrest in border areas.
Violent protests following the general elections in Tanzania election have created a very tense situation. The main opposition party, Chadema, claims hundreds of protesters have been killed in security forces’ crackdown over the past three days. Internet shutdowns and communications restrictions have made it difficult to independently verify these figures.
Tanzania election remain high in the country, and human rights organizations have expressed deep concern. The international community is also monitoring the increasing reports of violence and deaths.
The situation is currently serious in the African country Tanzania. The recent general elections were highly controversial, causing tension across the country. Tanzania held presidential elections on October 29, with incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, a member of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, winning a landslide victory. However, controversy erupted even before the elections began when two major opposition candidates were not allowed to contest.
The opposition declared the election a “stolen election,” sparking nationwide protests that soon escalated into riots. About 700 people have lost their lives in these riots.
The government has also increased military deployment to control the situation and imposed a night curfew across the country, as well as ordered the shutdown of internet and mobile services.
The main opposition party, Chadema, claims that around 700 people have been killed in the past three to four daysβfor example, around 350 in Dar es Salaam alone and more than 200 in Mwanza.
Meanwhile, the UN human rights office has confirmed “at least 10 deaths” so far and said it has found evidence that security forces have underreported the deaths and injuries.
The opposition alleges that democratic choice has been marginalized in the electoral processβmain opposition candidates have either been barred from nomination or arrested.
These protests are not just due to the elections; There are also concerns about accountability, human rights and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Shutting down the internet and imposing curfews are considered government strategies to control the protests. The government has said no “excessive force” was used and there is no official death toll.
However, independent human rights organizations and media have reported the use of guns and tear gas by security forces. The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation and called for an investigation into the excessive use of force, arrests and disappearances.
