Tanzania is witnessing widespread unrest following a highly disputed national election, as hundreds of protesters defied a government-imposed curfew and heavy military presence for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
According to reports, demonstrations erupted across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, despite the government’s shutdown of internet services and deployment of armed forces. The protests come in response to what opposition groups and international observers describe as a deeply flawed electoral process.
Amnesty International confirmed that at least two people—a civilian and a police officer—have died since the unrest began on Wednesday. The human rights organization has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the use of force by police and military officers against demonstrators.
The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Tanzania’s ruling party since independence in 1961, sought to extend its dominance in Wednesday’s general election. However, the process has been widely criticized after several key opposition candidates were either barred from running or detained.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking re-election, faced 16 lesser-known challengers. Early results broadcast on state television showed her leading with 96.99% of votes counted in just eight out of 272 constituencies, raising further concerns about transparency.
The European Parliament released a statement on Thursday declaring the Tanzanian elections “neither free nor fair” and urging democratic partners to defend human rights and democratic principles in the country.
Protests have intensified in Dar es Salaam, where police stations and polling centers were vandalized, and vehicles set ablaze. Authorities have since imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, ordered public servants to work remotely, and set up military checkpoints across major roads. Only essential workers are reportedly allowed through.
In Namanga, a border town with Kenya, clashes between protesters and security forces left several injured as police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Business operations in the usually busy area have ground to a halt, according to local traders.
Ferry services between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar—whose election results are expected soon—have also been suspended.
The unrest follows the imprisonment of main opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was charged with treason for advocating electoral reforms, and the disqualification of Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate for the country’s second-largest opposition party.
As tensions escalate, legal and human rights observers are urging the Tanzanian government to respect constitutional freedoms, uphold the rule of law, and allow for peaceful expression of dissent
