Tanzania's Election Unrest: Hundreds Killed in Clashes, Internet Shutdown, and Curfew Imposed

Strategic Insights -

Hundreds of people have been killed in election protests in Tanzania, sparking widespread unrest and a communication blackout. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the election with 97.66% of the vote, but her main challengers had been either jailed or barred from standing. The opposition party, Chadema, said that 700 people had been killed since Friday, while international organizations reported lower initial figures. The country is under a curfew, and internet services have been shut down, making it difficult to gather information from the ground.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the election with 97.66% of the vote, dominating every constituency.
  • The main opposition party, Chadema, said that 700 people had been killed since Friday, with 350 deaths reported in Dar es Salaam and 200 in Mwanza.
  • International organizations, including the UN and Amnesty International, reported lower initial figures, with at least 10 and 100 people killed, respectively.
  • The country is under a curfew, and internet services have been shut down, making it difficult to gather information from the ground.
  • President Hassan has faced opposition from parts of the army and allies of her predecessor, John Magufuli, since she took over following his death in 2021.
  • Human rights groups have condemned a "wave of terror" in the run-up to the election, including high-profile abductions and a crackdown on dissent.
  • Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, President Hassan's son, is accused of overseeing the crackdown, sparking public anger.

Statistics:

  • 97.66%: The percentage of the vote won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
  • 87%: The turnout reported by the electoral commission.
  • 700: The reported number of deaths by the main opposition party, Chadema.
  • 350: The reported number of deaths in Dar es Salaam.
  • 200: The reported number of deaths in Mwanza.
  • 10: The number of reported deaths by the UN.
  • 100: The number of reported deaths by Amnesty International.

Sources:

  • The Guardian: "Tanzania election: hundreds killed as President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared winner with 97.66% of the vote"
  • Al Jazeera: "Tanzania election: opposition claims 700 killed in crackdown"
  • Reuters: "Tanzania election: hundreds killed, internet shutdown"
  • The Tanzania Electoral Commission: "Election Results" (date unspecified)
  • Amnesty International: "Tanzania: Wave of terror ahead of elections" (date unspecified)
  • The United Nations: "Tanzania: Reports of violence and human rights abuses" (date unspecified)