Tanzania is reeling from three days of violent protests that have left hundreds feared dead following Wednesday’s general election, according to reports from the opposition and international observers. The Chadema opposition party alleges that around 700 people have been killed by security forces amid widespread demonstrations challenging the credibility of the poll results.
Although official figures remain unconfirmed due to a nationwide internet shutdown, diplomatic sources cited by the BBC indicate that at least 500 people may have lost their lives during the unrest. The blackout has made it nearly impossible for journalists and human rights organizations to verify casualty numbers or communicate with those affected.
The protests erupted across major cities — including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza — as thousands of mostly young demonstrators accused the government of rigging the election and suppressing opposition voices. Protesters claim the vote was unfairly tilted in favor of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
According to Chadema officials, one of their key leaders is currently imprisoned, while another was disqualified on technical grounds, effectively weakening the opposition’s chances. The situation has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups who argue that Tanzania’s democratic space is shrinking under the current administration.
Authorities have extended a national curfew in an attempt to quell the unrest. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described the ongoing violence as “isolated incidents,” insisting that security forces acted decisively to maintain peace. He also defended the internet blackout as a necessary measure to “prevent vandalism and protect lives.”
However, eyewitness reports suggest a far more dire situation. Hospitals in Dar es Salaam have reportedly been overwhelmed with casualties, and morgues are said to be filled beyond capacity. Medical workers, speaking anonymously, told the BBC that they were under strict orders not to release information about fatalities or injuries.
Chadema’s Director of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, John Kitoka, told the BBC that opposition figures are being targeted:
“Massacres are carried out at night when no one can witness them. Our leaders are being tracked, some have fled the country. These people kill with impunity.”
He added that the pre-election period was marked by harassment, intimidation, and abductions of opposition candidates, journalists, and activists — further undermining public trust in the electoral process.
The United Nations and foreign governments have expressed deep concern over the escalating violence. The foreign ministers of the UK, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement urging Tanzanian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and respect freedom of expression and assembly.
Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the reported killings and alleged human rights abuses.
In Zanzibar, Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago, CCM candidate Hussein Mwinyi was declared the winner with nearly 80% of the vote, according to state media. The opposition, however, rejected the outcome, citing “massive electoral fraud.” The unrest has stranded several tourists at the island’s airport, as internet shutdowns and blocked roads have disrupted travel.
Official results of the national election are expected to be released on Saturday, but President Samia Suluhu Hassan — Tanzania’s first female president who assumed office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli — is widely expected to secure another term under the ruling CCM.
While Samia was initially praised for easing political repression early in her tenure, critics argue that her administration has since reverted to authoritarian tactics, with increased arrests of opposition members and restrictions on press freedom.
Tanzania’s political future now hangs in the balance as international observers call for transparency, dialogue, and an end to the bloodshed.
