Hundreds Of People Have Been Killed In Protests In Tanzania
- 2.11.2025, 16:12
The situation in the country escalated after the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The European Union has expressed "extreme concern" over a sharp deterioration in the domestic political situation following presidential and parliamentary elections in Tanzania and reports of a high death toll in protests. "The EU calls on the authorities to exercise maximum restraint to preserve human lives," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas said on Sunday, November 2.
She pointed to the lack of a level playing field for the different political forces involved in the elections, as well as reports of abductions, disappearances and violence against opponents of the authorities, DW reported.
"The EU calls for the release of all detained politicians and a transparent and fair trial of those arrested on a sound legal basis, as well as a prompt and thorough investigation into all reported cases of abductions, disappearances and violence," Callas said.
Brussels emphasized the EU's long-standing partnership with Tanzania in line with joint commitments and called on the East African country's government to continue efforts to establish a full multiparty system. In particular, the authorities should "engage in an open and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders," including the opposition and civil society, in order to achieve reconciliation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed "deep concern" over reports of a high number of deaths and injuries in Tanzania.
The day before, Tanzania's state television announced the final election results, which showed that President Samia Suluhu Hassan won 97.66% of the vote, winning in all districts, and was re-elected to the nation's highest office. The largest opposition Chadema party, which was suspended from the election and called on citizens to boycott the vote, said it did not recognize the official results.
Chadema party spokesman John Kitoka called the election results a "mockery of the democratic process" and called for new elections.
The opposition also said at least 800 people were killed in protests that began after the election. AFP sources in law enforcement and diplomatic circles in Dar es Salaam confirmed that the death toll had reached hundreds of people and could be around 700-800 nationwide.
Human rights organizations accused President Sulu Hassan of a "wave of terror" even before the election, drawing attention to numerous kidnappings. In April, Chadema party leader Tundu Lissou was arrested. A court found him guilty of treason and sentenced him to death.
Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed the presidency following the death of former President John Magufuli in 2021.