A commission established in Tanzania to probe the postelection violence has reported that at least 518 individuals lost their lives following the October vote. The findings were disclosed on Thursday, shedding light on the turmoil that erupted amid a nationwide internet blackout.
Key Findings of the Commission
Chairman Mohamed Chande Othman revealed that thousands sustained injuries, with over 800 people suffering gunshot wounds. He emphasized that the actual death toll is likely higher, as some families buried their relatives without taking them to morgues.
Background of the Violence
The violence erupted on October 29, when young protesters took to the streets, accusing the government of suppressing the opposition. At the time, the main opposition party leader remained imprisoned on treason charges, and the presidential candidate for the second-largest opposition party was barred from running.
The internet was shut down for several days—a move that President Samia Suluhu Hassan later apologized for to the diplomatic community, vowing it would never recur.
Electoral Context
Hassan, who was seeking a second term after completing the term of her predecessor John Magufuli, won the election with 97% of the vote. However, some international observers deemed the election not free and fair.
Recommendations and Ongoing Concerns
Othman recommended a further investigation into the use of firearms, as witnesses reported that their loved ones were shot while inside their homes. Since the violence, 245 people remain unaccounted for, and 39 families reported seeing bodies of relatives in morgues before they disappeared.
The commission dismissed allegations of mass graves made by human rights groups. It concluded that the demonstrations were not peaceful but constituted "acts of violence," as they violated laws requiring 48-hour police notice and occurred on election day, thereby denying some citizens the right to vote.
Othman added that the protests were planned and coordinated by individuals who were recruited and trained, with violence occurring simultaneously in multiple locations to confuse the police.
