Tanzania Faces Nationwide Protests After Disputed Election Amid Rising Violence

Tanzania has experienced widespread protests and unrest following a contentious general election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a commanding lead amidst the exclusion of her main opposition challengers, including the disqualified CHADEMA party. The protests, which erupted in Dar es Salaam and other major cities, have been met with police using tear gas and gunfire, resulting in reported fatalities ranging from five to ten, though official confirmation remains absent. Authorities imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam and ordered civil servants to work from home, while internet access disruptions and airport closures further complicated communications and travel. The violence and demonstrations have spilled over to the Kenya-Tanzania border at Namanga, where Kenyan authorities have warned against participation in the protests. The unrest challenges Hassan's prior reputation for reducing repression and highlights a significant shift in Tanzanian political culture towards active citizen engagement. International responses include flight cancellations and heightened concern for safety amid the ongoing crisis.