Tanzania's "Massacre": How a 98% Election Win Turned a Deadly Day in Tanzania
- Tanzania is facing a humanitarian crisis after a disputed election where President Samia Suluhu Hassan won 98 percent of the vote sparking protests that were met with lethal force.
- Opposition groups claim up to 2,000 people may have been killed and accuse the government of using mass graves and an internet blackout to hide the evidence of the crackdown.
- An international legal coalition has asked the ICC to investigate the government for crimes against humanity while Independence Day celebrations have been cancelled to prevent further unrest.
A horrific wave of violence has engulfed Tanzania following a disputed general election that has fundamentally shattered the country's image as a beacon of stability in East Africa. What began as political demonstrations has reportedly spiraled into a state sanctioned massacre with security forces accused of using live ammunition against unarmed civilians. The unrest was triggered by the announcement that incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan had won a staggering 98 percent of the vote in the October 29 election. This near perfect result was immediately rejected by the opposition and the public as a blatant fabrication which sparked spontaneous protests led largely by young people in major cities like Dar es Salaam.
The situation escalated rapidly when the government responded to the outcry not with dialogue but with brute force. Reports indicate that police and military units were deployed to crush the dissent resulting in scenes of carnage that were initially hidden from the world. The government imposed a total internet blackout for several days which effectively silenced the country while the violence was at its peak. It was only after connectivity was partially restored that gruesome videos began to circulate on social media showing bodies littering the streets and hospitals overwhelmed with victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
President Samia’s transformation from a symbol of hope to an alleged authoritarian has been shocking to many observers. When she took office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli she was hailed globally as a reformist who would restore democratic norms. She initially unbanned media outlets and allowed political rallies which earned her praise as Tanzania's first female president. However the recent election cycle revealed a darker side to her administration as opposition leaders like Tundu Lissu were jailed or barred from running ensuring a race that was heavily tilted in her favor from the start.
The scale of the alleged atrocities is staggering even if precise numbers remain contested. While the United Nations has received credible reports of hundreds of deaths the main opposition party Chadema claims the toll could be as high as 2,000. They accuse the police of not only killing demonstrators but also disposing of hundreds of bodies in secret locations to hide the evidence. CNN investigations using satellite imagery have identified suspicious new excavations at cemeteries which lends weight to fears that mass graves are being used to cover up the extent of the killing.
In a bizarre attempt to deflect responsibility President Samia addressed the nation and blamed "foreign powers" for the unrest. During a speech attended by neighboring heads of state she claimed that those arrested for the violence were not Tanzanians but infiltrators sent to destabilize the country. This narrative has been widely dismissed by analysts and the opposition who argue that the protests were a genuine grassroots expression of anger from a generation tired of economic stagnation and political repression.
The international community is finally beginning to react to the crisis. A coalition of lawyers and human rights groups has formally petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate President Samia and her government for crimes against humanity. The 82 page legal filing accuses the administration of orchestrating mass killings and the secret disposal of over 500 bodies. This legal move signals that the world is no longer buying the government's narrative that the country is safe and stable.
The internal atmosphere in Tanzania remains one of fear and scarcity. Beyond the political violence the country is facing shortages of food and fuel and cash. The disruption to daily life has been severe with border closures and the lingering effects of the internet shutdown crippling the economy. The government has charged over 200 people with treason which carries a potential death penalty in a clear bid to intimidate anyone thinking of returning to the streets.
In a move that underscores the severity of the situation the government has cancelled the Independence Day celebrations scheduled for December 9. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced that the funds usually spent on the festivities would instead be diverted to rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the protests. While the government frames this as a pragmatic decision critics see it as a way to prevent the holiday from becoming a flashpoint for further mass demonstrations.
Ultimately the events of the last few weeks have left deep scars on Tanzania. A nation that was once celebrated for its peaceful transitions of power is now being compared to some of the region's most repressive regimes. With the opposition silenced and the youth traumatized by state violence the path back to democracy looks incredibly difficult. The 98 percent victory that was meant to cement President Samia's power may instead be remembered as the moment she lost the trust of her people forever.