Tensions have escalated in Tanzania following a general election marked by controversy and unrest. Police in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city, deployed tear gas and fired gunshots to disperse crowds protesting the exclusion of key political challengers from the presidential race. The disturbances erupted just one day after the election on March 6, 2024, which many critics claim was marred by repression and violence.
Demonstrations began during the election, with protesters expressing outrage over the disqualification of President Samia Suluhu Hassan‘s two main opponents. Activists have reported rising government repression of dissenting voices. Human rights advocate Tito Magoti informed Reuters that at least five deaths were reported during the protests, while a diplomatic source indicated that the death toll could be as high as ten in Dar es Salaam alone. Official government and police representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding these figures.
In response to the unrest, authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Dar es Salaam, a city home to over seven million residents. Internet access across Tanzania experienced significant disruptions, limiting communication and information dissemination. The state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation has largely downplayed the protests, instead focusing on announcements of provisional election results that indicated a sweeping victory for Hassan.
As protests continued into March 7, demonstrators gathered in neighborhoods such as Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto, and Kiluvya. Eyewitness accounts from Reuters noted that police responded with tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. Communication platforms, such as the Zello app, became critical for protesters to coordinate further demonstrations, including potential marches on government buildings.
These protests pose a significant challenge for Hassan, who initially gained favor for her efforts to ease restrictions on political opposition and media when she took office in 2021. Critics now argue that the government has reverted to more oppressive tactics, including the unexplained abduction of dissenters.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa urged civil servants to work from home on March 7, with exceptions for essential staff. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, had called for protests during the election, condemning the process as a “coronation” for Hassan. The party faced disqualification earlier in April 2023 for refusing to sign a code of conduct, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, faced treason charges. Another opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, was also barred from the election, leaving only minor parties to contest against Hassan’s candidacy.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the unrest in Tanzania, with many calling for transparency and respect for democratic processes. The unfolding events highlight the challenges in the nation’s political landscape and the ongoing struggle for civil liberties in the face of governmental authority.
