Tanzania Opposition Claims 700 Killed in Post-Election Protests Against President Samia Suluhu
Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has claimed that at least 700 people have been killed during three days of protests against President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the country’s disputed general election.
According to CHADEMA spokesperson John Kitoka, volunteers from the party gathered information from hospitals and morgues across several cities and estimated that 350 people were killed in Dar es Salaam, more than 200 in Mwanza, and hundreds more in other regions. He said the figure could rise as more information becomes available, especially from rural areas where communication remains difficult due to internet restrictions and curfews.
The protests erupted after the October election, which opposition parties say was neither free nor fair. Several opposition candidates were reportedly barred from contesting, while allegations of vote manipulation and intimidation by security forces surfaced on election day. Demonstrations began in Dar es Salaam and quickly spread to Mwanza, Arusha and other cities.
President Samia’s government has not confirmed the death toll figures. Officials have acknowledged “isolated incidents” of violence but maintain that the security forces acted to restore order. The government also imposed a nationwide curfew and restricted access to social media platforms, citing national security concerns.
As protests continue in parts of the country, CHADEMA has demanded an end to what it calls “state sponsored killings,” the release of detained demonstrators, and the formation of a transitional government to oversee fresh elections. The government, however, has dismissed those demands, insisting that the election was legitimate and that peace must be restored.
The death toll remains unverified, but if CHADEMA’s figures are confirmed, the violence would mark one of the deadliest episodes in Tanzania’s modern history. The situation continues to evolve, with human rights groups and international organizations calling for transparency, accountability, and justice for those affected.