Tanzania Election Day 3: Deadly Protests Continue as Opposition Claims Hundreds Killed Amid Military Crackdown

Tanzania's disputed 2025 presidential election has descended into chaos as protests enter their third consecutive day on Friday, October 31, with the main opposition party claiming approximately 700 people have been killed Al JazeeraAl Jazeera. The situation has escalated dramatically since election day on Wednesday, with the government deploying military forces onto the streets and enforcing a complete internet shutdown Al Jazeera. Opposition Claims Staggering Death Toll Chadema party spokesperson John Kitoka reported that around 350 deaths occurred in Dar-es-Salaam and more than 200 in Mwanza, with the total across Tanzania reaching approximately 700 Al Jazeera. The party compiled these figures by visiting hospitals throughout the country. However, the United Nations presents a sharply different account, with UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango stating that credible sources indicated at least 10 deaths at the hands of security forces Al Jazeera. This massive disparity in death toll reports highlights the uncertainty and information chaos surrounding the situation. Military Deployment and Internet Blackout Hundreds of demonstrators have confronted police for the third consecutive day, demanding that the national electoral body halt the announcement of election results Al Jazeera. The Tanzania government's response has been swift and severe, deploying military personnel alongside police forces to suppress the demonstrations. Police have enforced an overnight curfew in Dar-es-Salaam, a city of more than seven million people, after government offices and other buildings were set ablaze CNN. Internet access, which was disrupted during election day, has remained largely unavailable, though some reports indicate intermittent restoration in certain areas. Thursday's Violence Escalates On Thursday, protesters who defied the curfew in the Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto, and Kiluvya neighborhoods of Dar-es-Salaam were met with tear gas and gunfire Al Jazeera. The sounds of live ammunition echoed through Tanzania's commercial capital as security forces attempted to disperse crowds. Police fired tear gas and gunshots to disperse groups of protesters who returned to the streets, with demonstrations also occurring in the northern cities of Arusha and Mwanza CNN. Controversial Election Background The violence stems from Wednesday's elections where President Samia Suluhu Hassan's two biggest challengers were excluded from the race Al Jazeera, infuriating citizens and international rights organizations. The Independent National Electoral Commission disqualified Tanzania's main opposition party, Chadema, in April for refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct, days after party leader Tundu Lissu was arrested at a rally and charged with treason Al Jazeera. International Flights Disrupted The crisis has extended beyond Tanzania's borders, affecting international travel. The British government reported that international flights have been canceled to and from Dar-es-Salaam's airport, while airports in Arusha and near Mount Kilimanjaro were closed CNN. The U.S. Embassy has advised its citizens to shelter in place, warning of significant road travel risks. State Media Announces Results Despite the ongoing violence and protests, state television continued broadcasting the mainland results of Wednesday's vote, with the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party seeking to extend its governance since Tanzania's independence in 1961 The Washington Post. The state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation began airing provisional election results showing Hassan winning commanding majorities in various constituencies CNN. Historical Context and Pattern of Repression President Hassan took office in 2021 when her predecessor, John Magufuli, died in office, and has faced rising criticism for what the United Nations has called a pattern of escalating attacks, disappearances, and torture of critics Al Jazeera. Amnesty International warned before the elections that they risked becoming "a procedural affair devoid of legitimacy," citing politically-motivated charges, efforts to instill a climate of fear, and 83 disappearances of opposition party members during the campaign period Wikipedia. Regional Implications This is the latest election in Africa this month to stir deep-seated anger among citizens, following elections in Ivory Coast and Cameroon where longtime leaders also sought to maintain power Al Jazeera. International Observer Limitations For the first time in recent elections, Tanzania limited the participation of regional and international observer missions, with organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) initially not being fully accredited Wikipedia, though they eventually deployed observation missions in late October. What Happens Next? As Tanzania enters day three of protests, the situation remains volatile and unpredictable. With the internet shutdown continuing, military forces patrolling streets, and conflicting death toll reports, the international community watches closely. The government has extended work-from-home orders for civil servants through Friday, advising anyone without urgent business to remain home CNN. The ruling CCM party, which has governed Tanzania since 1961, appears determined to maintain its grip on power despite international condemnation and domestic unrest. However, the sustained protests and unprecedented level of civil disobedience may signal a turning point in Tanzania's political landscape. Calls for Investigation Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's regional director for East and Southern Africa, called the deaths "deeply disturbing" and urged Tanzanian authorities to promptly conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the unlawful use of lethal force against protesters Al Jazeera. As the situation continues to unfold, the world awaits clarity on the true extent of casualties and whether Tanzania's government will address the legitimacy concerns surrounding this highly contested election.