Hundreds feared dead in election riots after president claims 98pc of votes
Hundreds of people lost their lives in election protests TanzaniaAccording to groups opposing the government.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan had sought to consolidate her position and silence critics in her party with a decisive victory in Wednesday’s elections. His main rivals were either imprisoned or banned from standing.
The winner was declared with the east on Saturday Africa The country’s election commission said it outperformed all constituencies with 97.66 percent of the vote.
It added that turnout was at 87 percent, despite reports from observers that polling stations were largely empty early Wednesday, before election day turned into protests.
Tanzania’s first female president Samia Suluhu Hassan faces little opposition – AFP
Crowds took to the streets of Dar es Salaam and other cities, tearing down posters and attacking police and polling stations, leading to internet shutdowns and curfews. The main opposition party said 700 people had been killed since Friday.
Ahead of the vote, human rights groups condemned a “wave of terrorism” that has escalated in recent days, including a series of high-profile kidnappings. Much public anger was directed at Hasan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who was accused of overseeing the repression.
Opposition groups and others said the vote was a coronation, not a contest. After Hassan’s two main rivals were banned or prevented from competing. He faced 16 candidates from minor parties. State television said a quick swearing-in ceremony would be held on Saturday.
With foreign journalists largely barred from covering the election and a communications blackout entering its third day, information from the field has become scarce.
Riot police clash with protesters in Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian cities – Reuters
The main opposition party, Chadema, was banned from participating in the elections and its leader was tried for treason. It was stated that clashes between protesters and security forces continued in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, on Friday.
Chadema spokesman John Kitoka said: “When we talk about the number of deaths in Dar [es Salaam] Around 350 and 200 plus for Mwanza. “When the numbers from other parts of the country are added, the total number is around 700.”
He added that the death toll could have been much higher if the murders had occurred during the country’s night curfew.
International organizations have much lower startup figures. UN While “credible reports” stated that 10 people had died, Amnesty International said it had information that at least 100 people had died. The report said many hospitals and health clinics were afraid to speak directly to AFP.
Fires break out in Arusha’s streets after election day violence – AP
President Hassan has yet to comment on the unrest and local news sites have not been updated since Wednesday. The only official statement came late Thursday from army chief Jacob Mkunda, who called the protesters “criminals”.
Inside ZanzibarHamis Mbeto, spokesman for Hassan’s Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, or CCM), a tourist hub with its own semi-autonomous government, said the internet would return when the situation calms down.
Hasan faced opposition from parts of the military and his predecessor’s allies. John MagufuliSince taking over following his death in 2021, analysts say.
