🔗 Share this article

Per the main opposition party, around 700 people have reportedly died during three days of election-related clashes in the East African nation.

Clashes Breaks Out on Voting Day

Protests commenced on Wednesday over claims that protesters described as the suppression of the opposition after the removal of major candidates from the election contest.

Death Estimates Stated

An opposition official claimed that numerous of civilians had been slain since the protests began.

"Currently, the death toll in the port city is nearly 350 and for Mwanza it is over 200. Including estimates from other places across the country, the total number is around 700," he said.

The spokesperson noted that the toll could be significantly greater because killings could be occurring during a night-time restriction that was imposed from election day.

Further Reports

• A security insider supposedly mentioned there had been information of over 500 dead, "possibly 700-800 in the nationwide."
• Amnesty International said it had gathered reports that no fewer than 100 civilians had been killed.
• The opposition stated their figures had been collected by a network of activists attending clinics and health centers and "documenting the deceased."

Demands for Action

Rival officials called for the administration to "stop targeting our activists" and demanded a transitional government to facilitate free and fair polls.

"End violence. Honor the voice of the people which is democratic rights," the spokesperson declared.

Government Reaction

Authorities reacted by implementing a curfew. Online restrictions were also reported, with international monitors indicating it was nationwide.

The following day, the military leader criticized the clashes and called the protesters "offenders". The official said authorities would try to control the unrest.

Global Reaction

United Nations human rights office said it was "deeply concerned" by the fatalities and harm in the unrest, adding it had obtained information that at least 10 people had been slain by security forces.

The office reported it had received trustworthy information of deaths in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and Morogoro, with law enforcement using live ammunition and chemical irritants to break up demonstrators.

Expert Opinion

A civil rights attorney stated it was "unreasonable" for authorities to resort to arms, noting that the country's leader "must avoid sending the law enforcement against the civilians."

"The president should heed the people. The mood of the country is that there was an unfair process … We are unable to choose one candidate," the advocate stated.