Post by : Rameen Ariff

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Protests have surged across major Tanzanian cities as opposition supporters condemn Wednesday’s presidential and parliamentary elections as fraudulent. Demonstrators clashed with police, set bonfires, tore down posters of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and blocked key roads, with some crossing into neighboring Kenya.

Kenyan authorities reported two deaths among those fleeing the clashes, while local hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Dodoma treated numerous injured protesters. The Tanzanian military and police deployed heavily, using tear gas and imposing night-time curfews in Dar es Salaam. Civil servants were ordered to work from home as tensions escalated.

The protests erupted amid growing accusations that the government undermined democracy. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains jailed on treason charges, which he denies, while another opposition contender, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, was disqualified on legal technicalities. These moves bolstered Samia’s chances of securing a second term, with early results showing her winning nearly 95% in Mbea province.

The European Union has called the election a “fraud,” stating irregularities had “been unfolding for months.” Gunfire was reported in northern Mwanza, while major roads in Dar es Salaam and at the international airport remain closed. Protesters are reportedly using apps like Zello to coordinate actions despite severe internet disruptions.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, expressed deep concern over civilian and police casualties, emphasizing the need for unrestricted access to information to prevent further unrest.

President Samia, Tanzania’s first female president who took office in 2021, is widely expected to secure a second term. While she initially eased political repression, her government has faced criticism for targeting critics through arrests and abductions, contributing to the growing political unrest.

The unfolding protests highlight deep-seated frustration over Tanzania’s political landscape, as citizens demand accountability and a fair electoral process.

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