Tanzanian police have lifted a night-time curfew in Dar es Salaam, which had been in effect since last Wednesday following election-related protests. The unrest led to a nationwide internet shutdown, the closure of many shops, and disruptions to schools and public transport in Dar es Salaam. While some commercial activities and traffic have resumed, queues persist at some petrol stations. Families are reportedly searching for or burying relatives following clashes between security forces and opposition supporters, who have alleged the election was fraudulent.
Post-Election Political Developments
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn into office on Monday after being declared the winner of last Wednesday's election with 98% of the vote. Observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, stated in a preliminary report that the election fell short of democratic standards.
Two main opposition leaders were unable to contest the poll. Tundu Lissu is in detention on treason charges, which he denies. His Chadema party reported over 800 deaths by Saturday. Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.
Casualty Reports and Accounts of Disappearances
Reports from various sources indicate fatalities stemming from the post-election unrest. A diplomatic source in Tanzania informed the BBC of credible evidence suggesting at least 500 deaths. The UN human rights office earlier reported credible accounts of at least 10 deaths in three cities. The Tanzanian government has not released official casualty figures.
A doctor at Muhimbili Hospital in Dar es Salaam reported seeing vehicles marked "Municipal Burial Services" collecting bodies from the mortuary at night, transporting them to undisclosed locations. The doctor also stated that relatives were not being given access to the bodies, and some survivors were being moved from emergency departments by police to unknown destinations, sometimes before full recovery.
Personal accounts include a woman identified as Mama Kassim, who stated her two sons have been missing since polling day. A Kenyan family has requested government assistance to repatriate the body of John Okoth Ogutu, a 33-year-old teacher, who they allege was shot by police in Dar es Salaam.
Responses from Rights Organizations and Government
Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that authorities responded to widespread protests with "lethal force and other abuses," urging the government to investigate all violence and prosecute those responsible. Amnesty International expressed alarm regarding the use of excessive force, which it reported resulted in deaths and injuries among protesters.
The government has presented a different account regarding the scale of the violence and attributed its instigation to foreign nationals. During her inauguration ceremony, President Samia acknowledged "loss of lives and destruction of public property," and stated that some of those arrested were foreign nationals. President Hassan assumed office in 2021 as Tanzania's first female president following the death of President John Magufuli. Her administration has since been subject to various reports concerning political freedoms.