Tanzania's Post-Election Unrest: A Nation in Turmoil
The recent Tanzanian elections have been marred by violence and unrest, leaving a trail of devastation in the country's main city, Dar es Salaam. The night-time curfew, imposed following deadly protests, has been lifted, but the city is far from returning to normalcy. The internet remains restricted, and the air is thick with tension as families continue to search for or bury their loved ones, killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, declared the winner of the election with 98% of the vote, was sworn in on Monday. However, the election has been criticized by observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for falling short of democratic standards. The two main opposition leaders, Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina, were unable to contest the poll due to detention and technical rejections, respectively.
The death toll is still uncertain, with conflicting reports. Chadema, the opposition party, claims over 800 deaths, while a diplomatic source suggests at least 500. The UN human rights office confirms credible reports of at least 10 deaths in three cities, but the government has not disclosed casualty figures. The situation is further complicated by the disappearance of Chadema's deputy chairman, John Heche, who was picked up from a police station and has not been seen since.
The aftermath of the protests has been marked by a lack of transparency. A doctor at Muhimbili Hospital reported vehicles collecting bodies at night, raising concerns about the fate of those who died during the protests. A Tanzanian woman, Mama Kassim, is desperate for news of her missing sons, while a Kenyan family seeks to repatriate the body of a relative, John Okoth Ogutu, who was allegedly shot by police.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed alarm over the use of lethal force and other abuses by the authorities. The government, however, has downplayed the violence, blaming foreign nationals for the unrest. President Samia acknowledged the loss of lives and destruction but noted the presence of foreign nationals among the arrested, a claim that has sparked controversy.
As Tanzania grapples with the aftermath of the elections, the nation's future hangs in the balance, with many questions left unanswered and a sense of unease lingering in the air.
