United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the outbreak of violence in Tanzania following the October 29 general election, urging all sides to exercise restraint as the nation remains under curfew amid internet disruptions.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres condemned the loss of lives and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. He called for “a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force” and appealed to Tanzanian authorities to ensure accountability and transparency in managing the crisis.
According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), credible information indicates that at least ten protesters were killed when security forces used firearms and tear gas to disperse demonstrations in several urban centres, including Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Morogoro.
The OHCHR further reported that a nationwide curfew remains in place and that access to the internet has been severely restricted since election day. The agency urged the authorities to restore internet connectivity immediately and guarantee citizens their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
“Curtailment of communication will only further undermine public trust in the electoral process,” the human rights office stated, while also appealing to protesters to remain peaceful.
The violent aftermath of the election follows a campaign period fraught with allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition leaders, including the head of the Chadema party and his deputy, as well as reports of enforced disappearances of dissenting voices such as a former ambassador to Cuba.
“All those in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released. Those held legally must be accorded full due process and fair trial rights,” OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango told journalists in Geneva on Friday.
“We urge the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
