Over Five Hundred People Reported Dead in Tanzania Election-Related Unrest
The unrest broke out after the October 29 vote, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan secure an overwhelming victory with 97% of the vote, extending her leadership into a full elected term after initially assuming office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor.
A commission established to examine the violence reported that at least 518 people died from what it described as “unnatural causes,” with 197 of those deaths attributed to gunfire. It also stated that more than 2,000 people were injured, including hundreds with gunshot wounds, and warned that the total number of victims could increase due to missing records and undocumented burials.
Among the fatalities were 21 children, with the report detailing age ranges that included both teenagers and very young children. The commission also noted that hundreds of individuals remain unaccounted for, with some families reporting discrepancies involving bodies taken to morgues.
While the commission did not assign direct blame for the deaths, it recommended further investigation into the use of firearms by security forces during the unrest.
The protests were reportedly triggered after several opposition candidates were barred from participating in the election, including opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party, who has faced legal proceedings in connection with treason allegations.
During the unrest, authorities imposed an internet shutdown, and human rights organizations later raised concerns about the use of force against demonstrators. The UN Human Rights Office previously cited reports of excessive or disproportionate force during the crackdown.
The findings add to ongoing debate over electoral transparency, political freedoms, and the handling of civil unrest in the country.
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