Information
A Tanzanian court has charged more than 100 people with treason following violent protests that erupted after the country’s controversial October 29 election. The accused are alleged to have tried to obstruct the election, intimidate government officials, and damage public property. None of the defendants are public figures, and human rights groups have reported that many of them have been beaten and denied medical treatment while in custody. The protests broke out amid accusations that the election was rigged in favour of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who officially won with 98% of the vote. Major opposition leaders were either imprisoned or barred from running, leading to widespread claims of electoral manipulation.
The African Union and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the election and the government’s subsequent actions, citing violations of international democratic standards and a broader campaign of repression against political opponents. The main opposition party, Chadema, claims that hundreds were killed in the government’s crackdown on protesters, though authorities have denied the scale of the casualties and refused to release their own figures. The unrest was accompanied by a six-day internet shutdown and a nationwide curfew, moves critics say were designed to silence dissent and conceal the extent of state violence.
Source: AFP, AP, Reuters
So What
The protests in Tanzania appear to be another attempt by Gen Z activists to challenge authoritarian rule, drawing inspiration from recent youth-led movements in countries like Nepal, Madagascar, and Kenya. However, unlike those cases, the demonstrations have not achieved their intended impact, facing swift suppression by state forces. Despite this, the unrest has likely succeeded in drawing international attention to the unfair nature of the election and the broader erosion of democratic rights in Tanzania.
Follow us to join the intelligence community!