Tanzanian prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for ten individuals, including senior members of the main opposition party, in connection with violent protests that erupted during last week’s presidential election.
The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, secured a decisive re-election victory, officially garnering 98% of the vote. However, the election was marred by controversy after the primary opposition party, Chadema, was barred from fielding candidates. Party officials have rejected the results as illegitimate, alleging widespread fraud.
The aftermath of the vote saw significant civil unrest. According to statements from Chadema and international human rights organizations, security forces responded with lethal force, resulting in a high number of fatalities. While the government has disputed the reported death toll, it has not provided alternative figures.
In a televised ceremony held at a military facility in the capital, President Hassan was formally sworn in for a new term. In her remarks, she attributed the recent instability to foreign actors, though she did not provide specific evidence.
The list of those wanted by authorities includes Chadema’s secretary general and its head of communications. These warrants follow the earlier charging of 145 individuals with treason last Friday. The opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, had previously been charged with treason in April and was disqualified from the election, a move that fueled public dissent.
International observers have criticized the electoral process, noting the exclusion of major political rivals and reporting irregularities. Human rights groups have also documented a pattern of restrictive measures in the period surrounding the vote, including internet shutdowns, arbitrary detentions, and allegations of excessive force used to quell demonstrations.