The government of Tanzania has been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings and intensifying its crackdown on opposition groups, according to a new report released by Amnesty International. The global human rights organization has called for an urgent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation into the alleged abuses.
Vongai Chikwanda, Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, stated that prolonged internet and power blackouts across the country over the past week have severely disrupted the lives of ordinary citizens. She alleged that security forces have taken advantage of the blackouts to violently disperse peaceful protests, leading to multiple casualties.
“Tanzanian authorities must refrain from using excessive force to suppress demonstrations,” Chikwanda said. “Instead, they must uphold the right to peaceful assembly and ensure the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained.”
Amnesty noted that ongoing restrictions have made it difficult to verify information and document election-related human rights violations. The organization urged the government to allow the free operation of the media and to restore internet access immediately to ensure transparency regarding the country’s human rights situation.
In a similar statement, Oryem Nyeko, Senior Africa Researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the government’s violent and repressive actions surrounding the election have further undermined the credibility of the electoral process.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in for a second term following the November 3 election, which was rejected by opposition leaders. Several major opposition parties were barred from participating in the polls.
Protests had been ongoing in the lead-up to the election, and on election day, police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. According to John Kitoka, spokesperson for the opposition party Chadema, nearly 700 people were killed in election-related violence.
Sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.