Tanzania’s Dark Hour After a Disputed Election
So, let me walk you through what has been unfolding in Tanzania, because the scale and gravity of it have left many people shocked — both inside the country and around the world. In the weeks following the country’s highly disputed presidential election, a series of disturbing events has been uncovered, painting a deeply troubling picture of violence, fear and a nation struggling with the weight of its own political turmoil.
According to a major investigation, protesters who took to the streets after the October 29 election were met with brutal force. Police officers and armed men, some in plain clothes, were seen firing live ammunition at crowds — many of whom appeared unarmed or holding nothing more threatening than rocks or sticks. It has been documented through geolocated videos, eyewitness accounts, and forensic audio analysis that people were fatally shot while attempting to flee or simply standing at a distance. Among the victims was a pregnant woman who was shot in the back as she ran, and a young man struck in the head while standing far from police.
Also Read:- Fatima Bosch’s Bold Stand Turns Into a Miss Universe Triumph
- Urgent Deli Meat Recall Sparks Listeria Warning in Australia
As these scenes unfolded, morgues in cities like Dar es Salaam and Mwanza were reportedly overwhelmed. Videos from inside these facilities showed bodies stacked on the floor, with others lying outside once the morgues had reached capacity. Some families recognized their missing relatives only through footage circulated online — a chilling confirmation in the absence of official updates. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health denied the authenticity of these images, but witnesses and medical staff described a far more harrowing reality.
On top of the violence, a five-day internet blackout was imposed after the election. This move, paired with curfews and restrictions on sharing photos or videos, made it even harder for the outside world to understand what was happening in real time. Opposition leaders had been barred from the race, including Tundu Lissu, who has been in custody facing treason charges. Protests erupted almost immediately after polling stations opened, and although the government initially denied any killings, President Samia Suluhu Hassan later acknowledged that casualties had occurred — without providing numbers.
Satellite images and on-the-ground video have also suggested that disturbed ground in a cemetery outside Dar es Salaam may indicate mass graves, adding yet another layer of alarm to an already tragic situation.
President Samia has since admitted that the unrest has tarnished Tanzania’s global reputation, describing it as a stain that could threaten international support and future economic stability. She has launched an investigation into the events, though many remain skeptical, especially as opposition voices continue to be suppressed.
What’s unfolding in Tanzania is not just a political crisis — it’s a human one, marked by loss, unanswered questions and a nation grappling with the erosion of its long-standing identity as one of Africa’s more stable democracies.
Read More:
0 Comments