Tanzania is reeling from three days of intense protests that have left hundreds dead, according to opposition reports, following the disputed October 29 general election. The escalating violence and a nationwide internet blackout have made it nearly impossible to verify the true scale of the casualties, while the government continues to downplay the crisis.
The main opposition party, Chadema, told AFP that around 700 people were killed in clashes with security forces. A diplomatic source quoted by the BBC put the death toll at approximately 500, citing “credible evidence” of widespread fatalities across major cities.
Government officials have dismissed those figures, describing the situation as “isolated incidents” and imposing an extended nationwide curfew in a bid to restore order.
Widespread Protests and Internet Shutdown
The unrest began shortly after polls closed on Wednesday, with young demonstrators flooding streets across Tanzania to denounce what they call a rigged election. Protesters accuse President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of manipulating the vote by sidelining key opposition figures one imprisoned, the other disqualified on technical grounds ensuring an easy path to victory.
Despite heavy police presence and warnings from Army Chief Gen. Jacob Mkunda to disperse, protests continued Friday in Dar es Salaam, where clashes with security forces were reported. Witnesses described teargas, gunfire, and mass arrests, while parts of the port city remained paralyzed.
Government Defends Crackdown, Cites “Security Concerns”
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit characterized the unrest as “a few isolated pockets of incidents” and defended the authorities’ response, claiming security forces “acted swiftly and decisively.” He also justified the internet shutdown, saying it was aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and “saving lives.”
However, reports from hospitals in Dar es Salaam paint a grim picture. A medical source told the BBC that facilities were “overwhelmed with casualties” and that mortuaries were full. Journalists and human rights groups have struggled to verify casualty figures due to restricted access and official silence.
Opposition Leaders in Hiding, Fear for Their Lives
Opposition figures have accused the government of carrying out night-time massacres and targeting political leaders for arrest or assassination.
“Security forces are tracking down our leaders. Some have fled the country. These people kill with impunity,” said John Kitoka, Chadema’s Director of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, in an interview with BBC Newshour.
Kitoka added that the election period had already been marked by harassment, abductions, and intimidation of journalists, opposition politicians, and civil society members.
International Condemnation and Calls for Restraint
The United Nations has urged Tanzanian security forces to avoid “unnecessary force,” while the foreign ministers of the UK, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement calling for “maximum restraint” and respect for freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous island region, CCM candidate Hussein Mwinyi was declared the winner with nearly 80% of the vote a result that the opposition has condemned as “massively fraudulent.” Reports indicate that tourists are stranded at the island’s airport, while protests on the mainland and internet disruptions have caused flight delays and cancellations.
President Samia Expected to Secure Victory Amid Deepening Division
Official results are expected to be announced on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan widely anticipated to win another five-year term.
Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, initially drew praise for easing political restrictions. However, critics now accuse her administration of backsliding on democracy through the arrests, censorship, and intimidation of dissenting voices.
Two major opposition contenders Tundu Lissu, currently detained on treason charges, and Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party, who was disqualified were effectively barred from contesting. Only 16 minor parties, none with significant political influence, were permitted to participate.
As the death toll rises and the internet blackout continues, Tanzania stands on the brink of its worst political crisis in decades, with fears that the violence could spiral further without international mediation.
