Tanzanian police fired tear gas and live rounds on Thursday to disperse protesters in Dar es Salaam and other cities, a day after a disputed election marked by violence and claims of political repression, witnesses said.
Unrest erupted during Wednesday’s general election after the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s two main challengers from the race, sparking anger over what demonstrators said was growing government intolerance.
Witnesses reported renewed clashes in several districts of Dar es Salaam on Thursday as police used gunfire and tear gas to break up crowds. Protests were also reported in the northern cities of Arusha and Mwanza.
Human rights activist Tito Magoti told Reuters he had received reports of at least five deaths during Wednesday’s protests, while a diplomatic source cited “solid reports” of at least 10 fatalities in Dar es Salaam. Reuters said it could not independently verify these accounts, and officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Authorities imposed an overnight curfew in the capital, where several government buildings were set ablaze. Internet access, disrupted during the vote, appeared to return intermittently on Thursday.
Provisional results announced by the state broadcaster showed President Hassan with commanding leads in multiple constituencies. The government later extended work-from-home orders for civil servants to Friday and urged residents to stay indoors.
International concern mounted as flights were cancelled to and from Dar es Salaam, Arusha and the Kilimanjaro region. The U.S. Embassy advised citizens to shelter in place, citing “significant risks” to travel.
“The people are rewriting our political culture from being cows … to being active citizens,” Magoti said.
The protests mark a major challenge for President Hassan, who was praised early in her term for loosening restrictions on opposition and media but has since faced criticism over alleged abductions and suppression of dissent.
Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, which had called for demonstrations, was barred from the election in April after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges. The disqualification of CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo candidates left only minor parties to contest Hassan’s presidency.
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