Tanzania is in turmoil after Wednesday’s tense presidential election descended into chaos, leaving dozens feared dead and the nation under a total communications blackout.
Reports indicate that violence erupted across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, where protesters clashed with security forces. Witnesses told AFP that a police station was set ablaze, and polling centres were attacked as crowds tore down images of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
President Hassan, who sought to tighten her grip on power, faced virtually no opposition in the polls. Most of her main challengers were either jailed, exiled, or disqualified ahead of the vote.
A diplomatic source told AFP that over 30 people may have been killed, though the figure remains unconfirmed. The full extent of the crisis is unclear as internet services remain shut down and international calls restricted.
Authorities have issued no official statement, and local media — heavily controlled by the government — have not updated their reports since early Wednesday. Schools and public offices were ordered closed, while gunfire was still heard in parts of Dar es Salaam on Thursday morning.
Foreign journalists were largely barred from covering the elections, heightening concerns about transparency. On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar, the atmosphere was calmer, but ferry services to the mainland have been suspended.
Meanwhile, stranded tourists at airports described desperate conditions. Many said they were unable to reach family members or withdraw money due to the blackout. “I have never experienced anything like this,” one France-bound passenger told AFP.
Human rights groups have condemned the violence, describing it as part of a “wave of terror” that began before the election. Amnesty International warned that the “risk of further escalation is high” and urged the government to show restraint.
Much of the anger online has been directed at President Hassan’s son, Abdul, accused of leading an “informal task force” overseeing election security. He has been linked to a series of abductions and crackdowns on government critics before the vote.
President Hassan, Tanzania’s first female leader, rose to power in 2021 following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Initially praised for relaxing political restrictions, she now faces widespread criticism for reversing democratic gains and tolerating widespread abuses.
Her main rival, opposition leader Tundu Lissu, is currently on trial for treason and faces the death penalty if convicted. Another candidate, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was disqualified on technical grounds, leaving Hassan virtually unchallenged.
With the blackout still in place and no sign of an official statement, uncertainty looms over Tanzania’s political future as fears of deeper unrest grow.
