Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, rejected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s election victory, claiming it was “completely fabricated. ” CHADEMA, which could not participate in the elections because it did not sign a code of conduct, pointed out that its leader, Tundu Lissu, had been arrested for treason in April. The party stated that the results had no basis in reality and that the protests across the country showed citizens did not consider the election genuine.
Protests erupted following the elections, with some demonstrators destroying government property and police responding with tear gas and gunfire. CHADEMA reported hundreds of casualties, while the U. N. human rights office confirmed at least 10 deaths in three cities. The anger stemmed from the exclusion of Hassan’s main challengers and allegations of widespread arrests of opposition members. The government dismissed the opposition’s death figures as exaggerated and defended its human rights record.
After being declared the winner, Hassan called the protests irresponsible and emphasized the need for security in Tanzania. Authorities have since imposed a nationwide curfew and restricted internet access, leading to canceled international flights and disrupted operations at Dar es Salaam’s port.
With information from Reuters
