Tanzania remains on edge as violent demonstrations continued yesterday, marking the third day of unrest since the presidential election on Wednesday.
Despite a nationwide internet blackout, videos and reports from the ground reveal burning barricades, large crowds, and clashes between demonstrators and security personnel.
Eyewitnesses say police and military officers fired live ammunition at protesters, heightening fears over the rising number of casualties. Citizens are bracing for the official election results, which are expected today, while the country struggles to maintain calm.
Opposition groups have released alarming figures. John Kitoka, spokesman for Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), told Reuters that the party has documented 700 deaths since the election, “based on accounts from health workers.” He claimed about 350 deaths occurred in Dar es Salaam, while more than 200 were reported in Mwanza.
Some media sources, citing anonymous security officials, suggested the toll might be closer to 500.
The United Nations Human Rights Office () confirmed reports of at least ten fatalities in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro. OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango called on security forces to “refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”
In Nairobi, advocacy group Voices of Community Activists and Leaders of Africa (Vocal Africa) said it is actively tracking the situation in Tanzania with the goal of pursuing accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We have people in Tanzania who are documenting and following up on everything. We are making sure we have evidence that can be used not just in Tanzania but also at the international level so that those responsible are held to account,” said Hussein Khalid, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer.
He noted that the internet blackout and media restrictions make reporting dangerous, and that most verified cases come from Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Once full contact is restored with the Tanzanian team, the organization expects to confirm the casualty figures.
Tanzania, which is a member of the ICC, has previously criticized the court for focusing disproportionately on African nations.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) has announced results from about 80 of the country’s 100 regions, according to national broadcaster TBC.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), is widely expected to secure victory.
The CCM has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, initially as the Tanzania African National Union (Tanu), before merging with Zanzibar’s Afro-Shirazi Party in 1977.
