Tanzanian NGOs denounced on November 7 "widespread deadly reprisals" against civilians, including people killed in their homes, following the violent crackdown on protests that occurred after the presidential election of October 29.

The organizations condemned the "widespread human rights violations" that marked the period before, during and after the election.

Documented retaliatory killings

After the internet was restored, videos and images shared on social media began circulating, showing reprisals against young protesters. A joint statement from seven Tanzanian NGOs underscored the gravity of the situation, with one of them specifically mentioning on X "civilians killed in reprisal, some in their homes," including a journalist.

NGOs are concerned about the "excessive use of force, including live ammunition and tear gas," against protesters. They consider it "equally worrying to note the growing number of reports of passersby or civilians killed in their homes when they posed no threat whatsoever ." These killings have "deeply affected families and communities," with cases where children have witnessed their parents being attacked, arrested, or killed.

Contested elections and a heavy human toll

The protests erupted on October 29, the day of the parliamentary and presidential elections, which were won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan with nearly 98% of the vote. The opposition and foreign observers widely denounced massive fraud .

1. The main opposition party, Chadema , puts the death toll at at least 800 .
2. Diplomatic and security sources have corroborated the idea that hundreds, if not thousands, of people were killed in connection with these events.

Tanzanian authorities have not released an official death toll, only referring to "lives lost" .

Wave of arrests for "treason"

More than 100 people were indicted on November 7 for "treason," accused of attempting to "obstruct the elections." The indictments, reviewed by AFP, state that these individuals are accused of seeking to "intimidate the executive branch" and of "demonstrating this intent by causing significant damage to public property intended to provide essential services."

Heartbreaking testimonies and the context of the repression

In Mwanza (North), one of the main centers of the unrest, Chadema party official Amos Ntobi estimates that more than 200 people have died. He describes scenes of violence where "people are being shot in broad daylight" and bodies litter the streets. He attended nine recent funerals, most of the victims having died from gunshot wounds or being beaten to death. Among them were two children, aged 9 and 11 .

Four opposition leaders have been arrested and others have disappeared since the protests began. President Hassan's regime was already under fire for its repressive nature before the elections. Amnesty International had denounced a "wave of terror" in the country, marked by a surge in arrests and abductions of critical voices.