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Tanzania Opposition Claims 700 Killed in Post-Election Protests; UN Confirms 10 Deaths
Tanzania’s opposition says 700 killed in post-election unrest, while the UN reports at least 10 deaths. Protests erupted after disputed polls barring main opposition parties.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-31
Tanzania Opposition Claims 700 Killed in Post-Election Protests; UN Confirms 10 Deaths

Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has claimed that hundreds of people were killed during violent protests following this week’s disputed elections, while the United Nations says it has received credible reports of at least 10 deaths at the hands of security forces.

Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka told the AFP news agency on Friday that an estimated 700 people have been killed nationwide, including around 350 in Dar-es-Salaam and 200 in Mwanza. The party said its members reached the figure after touring hospitals across the country.

AFP reported receiving a similar toll from a security source, but Al Jazeera and other outlets have not been able to independently verify the numbers.

The Tanzanian government has not released any official casualty figures, saying only that forces are “restoring order after isolated incidents.”

At a briefing in Geneva, UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango urged restraint, saying:

“We call on the security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”

Disputed Elections and Widespread Protests

Demonstrations erupted on Wednesday in Dar-es-Salaam and several other cities after elections widely criticized as unfree and unfair, with the two main opposition parties barred from participating.

Protesters torched vehicles, police stations, and a petrol station amid anger over the restricted electoral process and the harassment of opposition figures. The government responded by deploying the military and shutting down internet access.

Chadema said protests would continue until the electoral commission halts result announcements and launches reforms to ensure transparency.

Long-Ruling Party Under Fire

The vote saw the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) — Tanzania’s ruling party since independence in 1961 — seek to extend its grip on power under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The commission barred main opposition leaders, including Tundu Lissu of Chadema, who was arrested and charged with treason in April, and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, disqualified following an objection by the attorney general.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), had warned for months that the polls were at “great risk” due to politically motivated arrests, disappearances, and restrictions on the press.

In June, a UN panel reported over 200 disappearances since 2019, calling the government’s actions “unacceptable.”

Zanzibar Results and Rising Tensions

The ruling CCM also retained the presidency in Zanzibar, where incumbent Hussein Mwinyi was declared the winner with 78.8% of the votes. The opposition alleged massive fraud in the results.

While Zanzibar remained calm under heavy military presence, protests spread across the mainland, prompting the government to postpone the reopening of colleges and universities.

Army Chief Jacob John Mkunda condemned the violence and said the military would work with police to restore order.
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Elections

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