Police fired gunshots in Dar es Salaam on Thursday as protests flared after a disputed presidential election that barred the top challengers to President Samia Hassan. Amnesty International reported at least two deaths, one civilian and one police officer, and urged restraint. Protesters who defied a curfew in Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto, and Kiluvya faced tear gas and live fire, while internet access was cut across the city. Some polling sites were set ablaze on election day. Despite the blackout, demonstrators coordinated on the Zello app. The U.S. Embassy said roads nationwide were blocked, and access to the main route to Julius Nyerere International Airport was restricted.
Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, has drawn criticism from U.N. experts and rights groups over arrests, disappearances and torture of critics. The electoral commission removed Chadema from the race in April after a dispute over a code of conduct and later barred ACT-Wazalendo candidate Luhaga Mpina. U.N. experts in June counted more than 200 disappearances since 2019, and Human Rights Watch in September documented at least 10 recent cases of political abuse and warned the October vote was at high risk.
Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, has drawn criticism from U.N. experts and rights groups over arrests, disappearances and torture of critics. The electoral commission removed Chadema from the race in April after a dispute over a code of conduct and later barred ACT-Wazalendo candidate Luhaga Mpina. U.N. experts in June counted more than 200 disappearances since 2019, and Human Rights Watch in September documented at least 10 recent cases of political abuse and warned the October vote was at high risk.
