Tanzania’s opposition alleges hundreds killed in election protests as the United Nations calls for investigation into excessive force allegations.
DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s main opposition party claimed on Friday that hundreds of people had been killed in protests over this week’s elections.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive force.
The UN human rights office reported credible information indicating at least 10 fatalities during protests in three cities.
Britain, Canada and Norway’s foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing concern and urging Tanzanian authorities to exercise maximum restraint.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo described the opposition’s death toll figures as hugely exaggerated in the government’s first public comments.
Kombo denied that security officers had used excessive force during the unrest.
Reuters could not independently verify the conflicting casualty figures from the protests.
Protesters have demonstrated since Wednesday over the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two main challengers from the race.
Witnesses reported police firing tear gas and gunshots to disperse some demonstrations.
Authorities imposed a nationwide overnight curfew following arson attacks on government buildings.
Internet access has been disrupted across the country since election day.
Partial election results showed President Hassan winning commanding majorities nationwide.
The unrest represents a significant challenge for Hassan, who initially earned praise for easing repression after taking office in 2021.
Hassan has recently faced criticism from opposition parties and activists over arrests and alleged abductions of opponents.
The president has denied allegations of widespread human rights abuses.
Soldiers and police patrolled Dar es Salaam’s streets on Friday, restricting movement without valid reasons.
CHADEMA party spokesperson John Kitoka claimed the opposition had documented approximately 700 deaths since Wednesday based on health worker accounts.
Kitoka stated that protests continued in several cities on Friday despite heavy security presence.
The opposition party called for continued protests until their demands for electoral reforms are met.
Foreign Minister Kombo maintained that only very few small pockets of incidents occurred during the election period.
Kombo attributed the violence to criminal elements rather than political protesters.
UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango confirmed at least 10 protest-related deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Morogoro.
One Dar es Salaam resident reported a family member being shot dead outside a hospital after being mistaken for a protester.
Police spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment about the alleged incidents. – Reuters
