Protests Erupt in Tanzania After Disputed Election Results

Protests continued in Tanzania after a disputed election gave President Samia Suluhu Hassan an early lead of nearly 97%. Amnesty International reported two deaths as security forces clashed with demonstrators. Opposition candidates were barred, prompting international condemnation and unrest that has disrupted transport and business across the country.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tanzania for the second consecutive day on Thursday, following a disputed election that has drawn both domestic outrage and international criticism. The demonstrations, marked by violence and heavy security crackdowns, erupted after widespread claims of electoral irregularities. Amnesty International confirmed that two people — a civilian and a police officer — were killed during Wednesday’s unrest, while several others sustained injuries.

The protests began shortly after the government imposed sweeping restrictions, including an internet shutdown, a nationwide curfew, and the deployment of military forces across major cities. These measures, authorities said, were meant to “maintain order,” but critics have described them as attempts to silence dissent and stifle opposition.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed Tanzania since its independence in 1961, faced growing accusations of tightening its grip on power. In this election, the party’s incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, sought re-election against 16 minor candidates, as leading opposition figures were barred from contesting. The exclusion of major opposition leaders has fueled anger among citizens who see the process as unfair and undemocratic.

Early results announced by the National Electoral Commission through state television showed President Hassan with an overwhelming 96.99 percent of votes from just eight out of 272 constituencies tallied. Opposition parties and international observers quickly questioned the legitimacy of the results, pointing to voter intimidation, ballot manipulation, and restrictions on political participation.

In a statement released Thursday, members of the European Parliament declared that the elections were “neither free nor fair” and called on democratic partners to “stand firm in the defense of democracy and human rights” in Tanzania.

The unrest intensified across several regions on Wednesday. Protesters burned a bus and a gas station, attacked police stations, and vandalized polling centers. Amnesty International confirmed that both a civilian and a police officer were killed in the violence. The Tanzanian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the casualties or the extent of the damage.

In Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital, authorities imposed a strict curfew on Wednesday evening, but protests persisted late into the night. The government also instructed public servants to work from home to reduce movement and minimize gatherings. Throughout the country, military checkpoints and roadblocks were established, and only individuals able to prove they were essential workers were allowed to pass.

Despite these restrictions, large crowds continued to gather, with some protesters breaching security barriers to access roads leading to Tanzania’s main international airport. Security forces, however, blocked them before they could enter the premises.

In the border town of Namanga, demonstrators lit bonfires on highways, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Several protesters were injured, and local business owners reported that commercial activity came to a halt. The unrest also affected transportation links, with ferry services between mainland Tanzania and the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar suspended until further notice.

The elections, held Wednesday, covered the presidency, parliamentary seats, and ward council positions. However, the absence of key opposition figures — including Tundu Lissu, who remains in prison facing treason charges for calling for electoral reforms, and Luhaga Mpina, who was barred from running — has raised serious questions about the credibility of the process.

Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the excessive use of force by police against protesters. Rights groups warn that if the government continues to suppress dissent rather than address grievances, the unrest could escalate, further undermining Tanzania’s democratic institutions and stability.

The situation remains tense, with opposition supporters vowing to continue demonstrations until their concerns are addressed. Meanwhile, the Zanzibar electoral body is expected to announce its results soon, potentially adding to the political uncertainty gripping the nation.