Tanzania Opposition Alleges 700 Killed in Post-Election Violence, Government Denies Claims

Tanzania’s opposition has alleged that nearly 700 people were killed in three days of violent unrest following the country’s controversial general elections, which they claim were rigged to secure President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sweeping victory. The government has denied the figures, while international rights groups have called for an independent investigation.

According to opposition leaders from the Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo parties, large-scale violence erupted after opposition candidates were barred from contesting in several constituencies. They claim that security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting alleged electoral fraud, leading to hundreds of deaths. Chadema sources said around 350 people died in Dar es Salaam, 200 in Mwanza, and several others across other regions.

However, the official death toll remains disputed. While opposition accounts place fatalities close to 700, independent human rights monitors such as Amnesty International estimate the number to be closer to 100. The United Nations has so far confirmed about 10 deaths, citing restricted access to hospitals and difficulties in verifying information due to an ongoing internet blackout.

The unrest followed President Hassan’s reported landslide victory, with her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party claiming about 97% of the vote from 120 out of 272 constituencies. Critics have questioned the legitimacy of the results, calling them symptomatic of a deep erosion of democratic institutions and voter suppression.

General Jacob Mukunda of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force described the protests as “criminal acts” that led to the destruction of property, adding that security forces acted to restore order. A curfew was imposed across several cities, while authorities shut down internet and mobile networks to curb what they termed “misinformation and incitement.”

International observers and human rights groups have expressed alarm at the scale of violence and urged the Tanzanian government to ensure transparency, accountability, and dialogue with opposition parties.

As the situation remains tense, opposition leaders continue to demand justice for victims and a rerun of the election, while the government maintains that peace has been restored. The conflicting narratives underline the fragile political climate in Tanzania and growing concerns over democratic backsliding in East Africa.