Tragic Toll: Hundreds Feared Dead in Ongoing Tanzania Election Protests

Sat Nov 01 2025 03:19:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fatal clashes continue across Tanzania following the recent general elections, with thousands protesting against perceived electoral injustices.

In the aftermath of Tanzania's general elections, violent protests have erupted, leading to significant casualties, with estimates of hundreds dead. The opposition alleges electoral fraud, while the government claims to have acted to ensure security. Communications are hindered by an internet blackout, complicating efforts to verify reports of violence.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Tanzania during three days of protests following Wednesday's general election, the country's main opposition party has said.

A Chadema party spokesperson told the AFP news agency that around 700 people had died in clashes with security forces. A nationwide internet shutdown is making it difficult to verify reports of deaths.

The BBC has spoken to a diplomatic source in Tanzania who said there was credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.

But a government minister has defended the government's handling of the unrest saying that nobody can state how many were injured.

Demonstrations have been taking place in major cities with young protesters denouncing the vote as unfair as key opposition figures were barred from running against President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described what had happened as a few isolated pockets of incidents here and there... our security forces acted very swiftly and decisively to address these situations, he told BBC Focus on Africa TV.

Protests have continued in the main city Dar es Salaam, with demonstrators defying warnings from the country's army chief to end the unrest.

The government has sought to downplay the scale of the violence while extending a curfew to quell unrest. Journalists and human rights groups struggle to verify casualty reports due to the internet shutdown.

Hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with casualties, and a referral hospital source indicated that morgues are overfilled. A source at a hospital confirmed that they have been bombarded with casualties since the unrest began.

One Chadema politician expressed fears for their life as they allege that night-time killings are taking place without witnesses. They claimed that government forces are actively targeting opposition leaders.

The UN has urged Tanzanian security forces to refrain from using excessive force amid the violence. Interim reports indicate that at least 10 fatalities have been documented.

Tensions escalate as opposition candidates remain imprisoned or disqualified, and international observers note an appalling voter turnout during the election.

Official election results from the commission are anticipated soon, with President Samia largely projected to retain her position under the CCM party.