President Hassan sworn in following deadly Tanzania election

Key Concepts

• Tanzania Presidential Election
• Second Term Inauguration
• Allegations of Election Irregularities ("Sham")
• Human Rights Abuses
• Excessive Force by Police
• Protest Crackdown
• Internet Shutdown
• Media and Rights Group Restrictions
• Opposition Demands for Election Cancellation and Transitional Government

Presidential Inauguration and Allegations of Irregularities

Tanzania's President Samir Sulu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term. The inauguration ceremony, however, deviated from previous public events held in stadiums, taking place instead within a military barracks and not open to the public. This discreet ceremony occurred amidst serious allegations from the political opposition and rights activists who have labeled the recent elections as a "sham."

Human Rights Abuses and Crackdown on Protests

A significant focus of the transcript is the alleged government crackdown on protests that emerged during the election period. Rights activists and the political opposition claim that the government has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people.

• Reported Fatalities: The opposition states that over 800 people have been killed during this crackdown.
• Evidence Presented: Activists have presented dozens of videos, some of which are described as showing individuals who appear to have been killed or injured by gunshots. A specific detail mentioned is that many of those killed appear to have sustained gunshot wounds to the head.
• Witness Accounts: A direct quote from a Tanzanian citizen highlights the severity: "Tanzanians, as we are fighting for our country, my friend has been shot dead."
• Police Actions: The transcript notes that police are reportedly still firing and actively hunting down individuals in various jurisdictions across Tanzania. This is described as a method to "contain protesters" by "clamping down everyone they see in the street."

Government's Response and Counter-Arguments

The Tanzanian government has responded to these allegations by:

• Denying Exaggeration: Stating that the opposition is exaggerating the numbers of those killed and injured.
• Justifying Force: Claiming that the government is using "proportionate force" to address what it terms a "crisis of vandalism."

Further Evidence of Abuses and Government Denial

The transcript presents further disturbing details:

• Mass Graves Allegations: A video reportedly shows approximately 30 bodies in what appears to be a medical facility.
• Body Removal: The opposition and activists allege that police have begun transporting bodies in trucks to undisclosed locations. The government has denied these claims.

Election Results and Voter Turnout

Despite the reported unrest and protests, President Samir was declared the winner of the election with an overwhelming majority of nearly 98% of the vote. The reported turnout was also described as a record high, even though protesters reportedly set some polling stations on fire and few voters were visible at others.

President's Statement and Opposition Demands

President Samir has issued a statement: "I have ordered the national security and regional security agencies to make sure that from this minute onwards normaly returns in the country."

In contrast, a woman's voice is heard shouting, "Mama Samir, you are killing people," indicating public dissent and accusation.

The activists are advocating for specific actions:

• Election Cancellation: They believe the election should be annulled.
• Transitional Government: They propose the establishment of a cross-party transitional government to oversee electoral reforms.

However, the transcript notes that "There's no sign of that happening."

Restrictions on Information and Activism

The situation in Tanzania is characterized by severe restrictions:

• Internet Shutdown: The internet has been reportedly switched off for several days.
• Media and Rights Group Restrictions: Press and rights groups are facing significant limitations.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The activists presented their evidence in Nairobi, Kenya, with some participating remotely from other parts of the region. The report concludes by urging viewers to subscribe to Alazer for reliable news and expert insights, emphasizing the importance of staying informed.