Tanzania Election Turmoil: Internet Blackout Hits Third Day as Zanzibar Opposition Rejects Results Amid Deadly Protests

Tanzania remains gripped by chaos following Wednesday’s general elections, with an internet blackout stretching into its third day on Friday amid reports of ongoing protests and unconfirmed fatalities. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, accused of stifling opposition through arrests and bans, appears set for a landslide win in the largely one-sided polls.

However, violence has erupted across major cities, including Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, leading to a nationwide curfew and military deployment. In semi-autonomous Zanzibar, the opposition has outright rejected the declared results, branding them as rigged and demanding a fresh vote. As foreign journalists face entry bans and communication lines stay severed, eyewitness accounts paint a picture of widespread unrest, with fears of a rising death toll adding to the tension.

Escalating Protests and Government Crackdown

The elections descended into disorder on voting day, with hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and other urban centres. Protesters tore down campaign posters of President Hassan, clashed with police, and targeted polling stations, prompting authorities to impose an immediate internet shutdown to curb the spread of information. Witnesses in areas like Sinza in Dar es Salaam and parts of Dodoma reported continued clashes late into Thursday, including tyre-burning barricades and confrontations with security forces.

In response, the government declared a curfew in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and economic hub, restricting movement from dusk till dawn. The army has been deployed to quell the disturbances, with Chief of Defence Forces General Jacob Mkunda labelling the protesters as “criminals” in a late Thursday statement. He warned that the military would take firm action to restore order, amid accusations from rights groups of excessive force being used against civilians.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned what they describe as a “wave of terror” leading up to the vote. This includes a series of abductions, arrests, and killings of government critics, escalating in the days before the election. Much of the public anger has focused on President Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who is accused of orchestrating the repression. Opposition figures claim these tactics were designed to silence dissent and ensure an unchallenged victory for Hassan, who took office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli.

Zanzibar’s Disputed Vote Sparks Outrage

On the archipelago of Zanzibar, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and spice trade, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party was declared the winner of the local elections on Thursday. However, the main opposition, ACT-Wazalendo, swiftly rejected the outcome, accusing authorities of widespread fraud. “They have robbed the people of Zanzibar of their voice… The only solution to deliver justice is through a fresh election,” a party statement read.

Senior ACT-Wazalendo officials told reporters that ballot boxes were stuffed with fake votes, individuals were allowed to cast multiple ballots without proper identification, and party observers were forcibly removed from counting rooms. The party’s presidential candidate for Zanzibar was barred from running against Hassan on the mainland, further fuelling claims of manipulation. CCM was scheduled to hold a press conference later on Friday to address these allegations, but tensions remain high.

At opposition gathering spots in Zanzibar, fear permeates the air. A 70-year-old resident, speaking anonymously, lamented, “There has never been a credible election since 1995,” referring to Tanzania’s first multi-party polls. Others expressed dread of reprisals, saying, “We are afraid of speaking because they might come to our houses and pick us up.” The island’s history of electoral disputes, often marked by violence, adds to the volatility, with past votes in 2015 and 2020 also marred by irregularities and boycotts.

Unconfirmed Reports of Fatalities and Information Vacuum

Amid the blackout, reliable information from the ground has been hard to come by. Witnesses and opposition sources report a large number of fatalities during the clashes, with claims from the banned mainland opposition party Chadema suggesting over 700 deaths nationwide – though these figures remain unverified. Multiple hospitals and clinics contacted by journalists declined to comment, citing fears of government backlash.

Local news websites have not been updated since Wednesday, and President Hassan has yet to address the unrest publicly. The communications clampdown, affecting social media, messaging apps, and even some phone services, has drawn international criticism for violating freedom of expression. Foreign journalists were largely barred from covering the elections, exacerbating the information void. The United Nations and African Union have called for restraint and transparency, urging an independent probe into the violence.

Political Context: Hassan’s Bid to Consolidate Power

Analysts say Hassan’s re-election bid was aimed at solidifying her grip on power amid internal party rifts and resistance from Magufuli loyalists, including elements within the military. Since assuming office, she has faced pushback from hardliners who viewed her as a softer leader. To counter this, authorities banned the main opposition Chadema party and jailed its leader on treason charges, leaving Hassan virtually uncontested.

In the lead-up, a string of high-profile abductions targeted critics, journalists, and activists, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. Rights groups documented dozens of cases, including disappearances that escalated just before polling day. ACT-Wazalendo was permitted to contest in Zanzibar but faced similar barriers on the mainland, where their candidate was disqualified.

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