Election Turns Bloody in Tanzania
A tragic incident unfolded during the protests surrounding the elections in Tanzania on Wednesday, October 29, where a member of the public and a police officer lost their lives.
In a statement released late that evening, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, confirmed the fatalities and urged everyone to remain calm.
“Reports that one general member of the public and one police officer have been killed during election day protests across Tanzania are deeply disturbing,” Chagutah said.
Adding, “The risk of further escalation is high – we urge the police to exercise restraint and refrain from using unnecessary and excessive force against protesters.”
As Tanzanians made their way to the polls, protests erupted, with angry citizens flooding the streets to voice their concerns over what they saw as a breach of the country’s democratic principles. This unrest followed the decision to bar the two leading opposition presidential candidates, Tundu Lissu from Chadema and Luhaga Mpina from ACT-Wazalendo, from participating in the election.
Recent footage has captured scenes of protesters taking to the streets in various towns across Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Tunduma, Tanga, and Mwanza. Some of the videos reveal intense clashes, with protesters and police engaged in running battles.
In the midst of the chaos, protesters were seen setting mattresses on fire and blocking roads, while one video even depicted a police officer being physically attacked by demonstrators.
In light of these protests, the Tanzanian government has imposed a curfew from dusk until dawn in Dar es Salaam. Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila has made it clear that authorities will not tolerate any actions that threaten the integrity of the election process.
Despite these stern warnings, some polling stations faced vandalism, as frustrated youth took matters into their own hands, tearing down ballot boxes to voice their discontent with the current government.
Earlier on Wednesday, Netblocks, a group that monitors internet activity, reported a significant disruption to internet access across the East African nation, which has been labeled a ‘digital blackout.’
It was also confirmed that three major service providers in the country had cut off internet access, raising alarm among the public.
Election Turns Bloody in Tanzania
