Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Tanzania’s main opposition party claims hundreds of people have been killed in three days of violent protests following Wednesday’s disputed election, as the country remains under a severe and ongoing internet blackout.
The protests broke out in Dar es Salaam and other cities after an election intended to cement the position of President Samia Suluhu Hassan descended into chaos, with main opposition challengers either jailed or barred from standing.
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo has denied the use of “excessive force” by authorities, telling Al-Jazeera the government had “no figures” on any fatalities.
Contrasting Claims of Casualties
The main opposition party, Chadema, asserts that the death toll is significantly high. Spokesman John Kitoka told AFP that figures put deaths around 350 in Dar es Salaam and over 200 in Mwanza, with the total national figure approaching 700. He warned the actual death toll could be much higher due to an overnight curfew.
These figures were partially corroborated by sources on the ground. A security source and a diplomat in Dar es Salaam both told AFP that they were hearing reports of deaths “in the hundreds,” with estimates ranging between 500 and 800 nationwide.
The lack of independent information, compounded by a communications blackout, has made verifying the casualty figures difficult. The United Nations reported having “credible reports” of 10 deaths, while Amnesty International said it had information indicating at least 100 people had been killed.
Information Vacuum and Political Context
Reporting from the ground has been severely restricted, with the nationwide internet blackout entering its third day on Friday. Local news sites have not been updated since Wednesday, and the government has reportedly banned foreign journalists from covering the election.
The political unrest extends to Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous tourist hotspot, where the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo rejected the local election results, alleging ballot stuffing and widespread irregularities.
The protests have seen crowds taking to the streets, tearing down President Hassan’s posters and clashing with police and polling stations. Army chief Jacob Mkunda late Thursday labelled all protesters “criminals.”
Analysts suggest President Hassan, who took office in 2021, sought an emphatic victory to consolidate her power amid internal opposition from elements within the army and allies of her late predecessor, John Magufuli. Rights groups had earlier condemned a “wave of terror” and abductions in the run-up to the poll.
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