DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The government of Tanzania on Friday described the post-election protests that have erupted across several cities this week as mere “isolated incidents,” asserting it is working swiftly to restore order.
The official statement was the first direct public comment on the widespread unrest, which critics attribute to the exclusion of key opposition figures and deepening political repression.
The protests, which began on Wednesday, were sparked by public anger over the disqualification of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two biggest rivals from the presidential race.
The unrest has seen government offices and other buildings set ablaze, prompting police to impose an overnight curfew in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, for two consecutive nights.
Furthermore, internet access has been disrupted nationwide since Wednesday.
Security measures and casualty reports
The government communicated its position to foreign diplomatic missions via state television. The Foreign Affairs Ministry informed them that,
“owing to isolated incidents of breaching to law and order, the Government has heightened security and taken several other precautionary measures.”
The statement continued, assuring the diplomatic community that:
“…the security measures in place are temporary but necessary and normalcy will return shortly.”
Amid the security clampdown, there have been no confirmed official casualty counts. However, a diplomatic source indicated there were credible reports of dozens of deaths resulting from the clashes.
The military and police were observed patrolling the streets on Friday, heavily restricting movement. In response to the volatility, the government extended a work-from-home order to civil servants, advising all other citizens without urgent need to leave their homes to follow suit.
The head of the army, Jacob Mkunda, spoke on the state broadcaster late on Thursday, stating that the military and other security agencies had successfully “controlled the situation.”
Political context and electoral results
The unrest presents a major test for President Hassan. When she took office in 2021, she was praised for easing the severe political repression of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
More recently, however, her tenure has been criticized by rights groups following a series of arrests and alleged abductions of opponents.
While Hassan has denied allegations of widespread rights abuses, she did order an investigation into abduction reports last year, though no official findings have yet been released.
The electoral commission began announcing provisional results on Thursday, which indicate that President Hassan has secured commanding majorities in various constituencies.
Also Read: Tanzania bars opposition presidential candidate from polls, leaving Samia Samia unchallenged
Separately, Hussein Mwinyi, of the ruling CCM party, was re-elected as president of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago with over 78% of the vote.
The political backdrop to the election was highly contested:
- The main opposition party, CHADEMA, which called for demonstrations during the vote, was disqualified in April after refusing to sign a code of conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges.
- The presidential candidate for the second-largest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, was also disqualified, leaving only minor parties to challenge Hassan.
In a statement addressing the situation, leading members of the European Parliament condemned the elections as a “fraud,” asserting that they “unfolded in an atmosphere of repression, intimidation, and fear.”
