Some 700 Supposedly Lose Their Lives in Tanzania Election Unrest, Opposition States

As per the chief rival group, nearly 700 people have purportedly died during three days of election-related protests in the East African nation.

Unrest Breaks Out on Voting Day

Uprisings broke out on election day over what protesters called the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of major hopefuls from the presidential race.

Casualty Estimates Claimed

An opposition official claimed that scores of civilians had been killed since the protests commenced.

"As we speak, the death toll in the port city is approximately 350 and for Mwanza it is over 200. Combined with estimates from other places around the country, the overall number is approximately 700," he said.

The spokesperson mentioned that the number could be much higher because fatalities could be happening during a nighttime restriction that was implemented from election day.

Further Reports

• A security source allegedly claimed there had been information of more than 500 deaths, "perhaps 700-800 in the nationwide."
• The human rights organization reported it had gathered information that a minimum of 100 people had been slain.
• Rival groups claimed their estimates had been compiled by a network of activists attending medical facilities and medical centers and "documenting fatalities."

Appeals for Intervention

Rival officials demanded the administration to "halt harming our demonstrators" and called for a caretaker government to pave the way for democratic polls.

"End excessive force. Uphold the voice of the citizens which is fair elections," the spokesperson said.

Government Measures

Authorities responded by implementing a restriction. Online restrictions were also reported, with international observers reporting it was across the nation.

The following day, the military leader criticized the violence and called the activists "lawbreakers". He said authorities would attempt to control the situation.

Global Reaction

The UN human rights office stated it was "worried" by the deaths and injuries in the protests, mentioning it had gathered accounts that no fewer than 10 civilians had been killed by authorities.

The office stated it had received reliable accounts of deaths in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and an eastern area, with security forces firing live ammunition and chemical irritants to scatter demonstrators.

Legal Perspective

A human rights attorney claimed it was "unreasonable" for law enforcement to use force, adding that the nation's president "should cease deploying the law enforcement against the civilians."

"The president must listen to the public. The sentiment of the country is that there was no election … The people are unable to choose one candidate," the advocate said.