Chaos Engulfs Tanzania After Disputed Vote
Gunfire, tear gas, and burning vehicles have turned the streets of Tanzania into war zones as protests over a disputed national election enter their third day. The violence erupted after polls that barred key opposition candidates, leading to widespread anger and bloodshed across major cities.
According to the main opposition party Chadema, around 700 people have been killed since demonstrations began on Wednesday. The unrest has hit Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital, hardest, but has now spread to Mwanza, Arusha, and other urban centers.
Tanzania Election Violence: 700 Dead, Curfew and Army on Streets
Witnesses describe a city under siege. Armored vehicles roll through the streets, gunshots echo at night, and security forces fire tear gas into crowds shouting, “We want our country back!” Government buildings and vehicles have been torched, prompting authorities to impose a strict nationwide curfew and deploy the army to restore order.
Internet access has been cut across Tanzania, silencing dissent and cutting off communications. A statement from government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa urged citizens to remain indoors and work remotely until further notice.
Opposition Alleges Mass Killings, Demands Justice
Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka told AFP that 350 people were killed in Dar es Salaam and more than 200 in Mwanza. “When added to other regions, the nationwide toll is around 700,” Kitoka said. The figures were gathered by party members visiting hospitals and morgues to “count dead bodies.”
Amnesty International reported at least 100 confirmed deaths, calling the situation “deeply disturbing” and warning of a risk of further escalation. The United Nations also expressed alarm, citing “credible reports” of at least 10 deaths caused by security forces.
Tanzania Election Violence: 700 Dead, Curfew and Army on Streets
UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango urged Tanzanian forces to “refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force” and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions. Despite growing global condemnation, clashes continue across the country.
What Sparked the Unrest
The crisis began when the National Electoral Commission (NEC) disqualified two major opposition leaders—Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina—from running for president. With key challengers barred, President Samia Suluhu Hassan faced only minor candidates from smaller parties, many of whom barely campaigned.
Tanzania Election Violence: 700 Dead, Curfew and Army on Streets
Once praised as a reformist leader who lifted restrictions on the press and opposition, Hassan is now accused of reversing those gains. Rights groups allege her administration has overseen enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
As protests intensified, state television continued broadcasting results showing Hassan’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), claiming overwhelming majorities. The NEC announced that Hassan had won 97.66% of the vote, sparking accusations of fraud and manipulation.
“There was no election at all,” Kitoka said. “Our message to the government is clear: stop the killings, end the brutality, and respect the will of the people.”
Members of the European Parliament called the polls “neither free nor fair,” echoing concerns from international rights groups and regional observers.
International Reactions and Curfew Measures
The United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam has issued a Level Two travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid large gatherings and monitor local developments. “There are reports of nationwide demonstrations, roadblocks, and violence,” the embassy said, adding that access to Julius Nyerere International Airport and other key routes remains restricted.
Reports indicate that soldiers are patrolling major roads, while local media show images of smoldering vehicles and soldiers guarding government offices. Hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed, and humanitarian groups warn that food and medicine supplies are running low in affected areas.
Meanwhile, regional bodies and the African Union have called for an immediate investigation into the deaths and allegations of excessive force. A South African ANC delegation, which was in Tanzania for election observation, said it was unable to perform its duties due to internet blackouts and restricted movement.
Tanzania at a Crossroads
As smoke rises over Dar es Salaam and curfew sirens echo through the night, Tanzania faces a defining moment. Once viewed as a stable democracy in East Africa, the nation now stands on the brink of its worst political crisis in decades.
The protests have revealed deep frustration with a political system seen as closed and repressive. Whether the government responds with reforms or further crackdowns will determine if this moment becomes Tanzania’s turning point—or its undoing.