Tanzania is facing serious unrest after the results of the recent presidential election. The National Electoral Commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with about 97.66% of the votes. The government said around 87% of registered voters took part, but many people doubt these numbers.
Before the election, the two main opposition leaders were jailed or blocked from running. Because of this, the opposition party Chadema said the election was unfair and called it a sham. They are asking for the vote to be cancelled and for a new, fair election under international supervision.
After the results were announced, protests broke out in many cities, including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, and Dodoma. Protesters filled the streets, chanting and demanding democracy. Some burned campaign posters, blocked roads, and clashed with police.
The government reacted with force. Soldiers and police were sent out, curfews were announced in several areas, and the internet was shut down or slowed to stop people from sharing information. Many human-rights groups say the government is trying to hide what is really happening.
In her first speech after being declared the winner, President Samia Suluhu Hassan asked people to stay calm and work together. She said, “It is time to unite our country and not destroy what we’ve built over more than six decades. She also said that the protests are “neither responsible nor patriotic.”
The Unrest that has killed allot of protesters
Despite her message, the situation remains tense. The opposition says security forces are using live bullets against protesters. The government says its actions are needed to bring back peace.
The number of people killed is unclear. The opposition claims that about 700 people have died in the clashes half of them in Dar es Salaam. But these numbers have not been confirmed. The United Nations says it has reports of at least 10 deaths, while Amnesty International says more than 100 people may have been killed. The real number may be higher, but it’s hard to know because of the internet blackout and restricted media access.
Right now, many streets are still dangerous, and police and soldiers are guarding major areas. The government has not said when it will lift the curfews or allow full internet access again.
Many people inside and outside Tanzania are worried that this crisis could damage the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s most peaceful nations. Whether peace returns soon will depend on how the government responds through dialogue and understanding, or through more force and control.
