For the third day in a row, massive protests have erupted across Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, in response to a contested national election.
Protesters are calling on the electoral commission to suspend the release of results, alleging that the government manipulated the vote.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling CCM party is expected to win. Hassan, who became president in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, has been criticised by rights groups and the United Nations for “escalating attacks, disappearances and torture of critics.”
In June, UN experts described the situation as “unacceptable,” saying more than 200 people have disappeared since 2019. Human Rights Watch also reported “extensive restrictions” on the media and political groups.
Human Rights Watch researcher Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka warned earlier that the October elections were at “great risk.” She said, “The authorities need to stop muzzling dissenting voices and the media and instead engage in meaningful reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections.”
In Zanzibar, where the CCM also claimed victory, the electoral commission said President Hussein Mwinyi had won 78.8% of the vote. The opposition rejected the results, alleging “massive fraud.”
With protests spreading to other regions, the government has postponed the reopening of universities and colleges. Army Chief Jacob John Mkunda condemned the violence, saying the military would “work with other security agencies to contain the situation.”
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