🔗 Share this article

According to the primary opposition group, nearly 700 people have purportedly been slain during 72 hours of poll-related unrest in Tanzania.

Violence Erupts on Voting Day

Demonstrations commenced on election day over allegations that protesters described as the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of prominent contenders from the presidential ballot.

Casualty Numbers Claimed

An rival representative claimed that hundreds of civilians had been killed since the unrest began.

"As we speak, the number of deaths in the port city is nearly 350 and for Mwanza it is over 200. Combined with estimates from elsewhere around the nation, the total figure is nearly 700," he said.

He noted that the number could be significantly greater because deaths could be taking place during a nighttime lockdown that was implemented from election day.

Additional Estimates

• A security source supposedly stated there had been reports of exceeding 500 fatalities, "possibly 700-800 in the whole country."
• The human rights organization reported it had received information that at least 100 civilians had been lost their lives.
• Rival groups stated their numbers had been gathered by a group of activists visiting medical facilities and health clinics and "tallying fatalities."

Appeals for Intervention

The opposition urged the authorities to "halt harming our demonstrators" and demanded a transitional government to facilitate free and fair polls.

"Halt violence. Honor the voice of the public which is fair elections," the official declared.

Government Measures

Authorities reacted by enforcing a lockdown. Online restrictions were also reported, with international monitors stating it was countrywide.

On Thursday, the military leader condemned the violence and called the protesters "lawbreakers". The official stated security forces would attempt to manage the crisis.

Global Concern

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed it was "worried" by the casualties in the protests, mentioning it had received reports that no fewer than 10 individuals had been lost their lives by authorities.

The office mentioned it had received credible accounts of deaths in the port city, in Shinyanga and an eastern area, with security forces discharging gunfire and teargas to break up protesters.

Legal Opinion

A human rights lawyer claimed it was "unreasonable" for authorities to use force, stating that the nation's leader "ought to avoid deploying the police against the people."

"She should pay attention to the public. The mood of the country is that there was an unfair process … The people cannot choose one candidate," the advocate said.