The Tanzanian government has sought to ease tensions following days of post-election protests, describing the unrest in several cities as “isolated incidents” and assuring that order will soon be restored.
Demonstrations erupted on Wednesday after President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two main rivals were excluded from the recent general election — a move that critics say undermined the credibility of the vote and reflected growing political repression.
Authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Dar es Salaam for two consecutive nights after government buildings were torched and internet access restricted. While officials have yet to confirm casualty figures, diplomatic sources report credible accounts of dozens of deaths.
In a message broadcast on state television Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed foreign missions that the government had “heightened security and taken precautionary measures” to maintain order. The ministry emphasized that the restrictions were temporary and that “normalcy will return shortly.”
Security forces, including the army and police, maintained a heavy presence across major cities, enforcing movement restrictions. The government also extended a work-from-home directive to civil servants and urged the public to remain indoors unless travel was essential.
Preliminary election results released Thursday show President Hassan securing overwhelming victories in most constituencies, while Zanzibar’s leader, Hussein Mwinyi of the ruling CCM party, was re-elected with over 78% of the vote.
The unrest poses a major challenge for Hassan, who initially won international praise after taking office in 2021 for relaxing the harsh political climate of her predecessor, John Magufuli. However, her administration has faced mounting criticism over arrests, alleged abductions of opposition members, and restrictions on dissent — accusations she has denied.
Army Chief Jacob Mkunda announced Thursday night that the “situation is under control,” as security forces continued to monitor affected areas.
The opposition party CHADEMA, which had been barred from contesting the election after refusing to sign a government code of conduct, had urged supporters to protest. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, currently faces treason charges. Another opposition figure, the ACT-Wazalendo candidate, was also disqualified, leaving President Hassan largely unchallenged in the polls.
Meanwhile, members of the European Parliament condemned the election process, calling it a “fraud” conducted under an atmosphere of “repression, intimidation, and fear.”
Source:Africa Publicity
