Protests erupt in Tanzania after main opposition candidate is disqualified from election | DW News

Key Concepts

• Tanzania General Elections: A significant political event in Tanzania.
• Samia Suluhu Hassan: The incumbent president and candidate for the ruling CCM party.
• CCM Party: The ruling party in Tanzania since independence.
• Opposition Parties/Candidates: Political groups and individuals challenging the CCM.
• Media Blackout: Restriction or complete cessation of media reporting.
• Internet and Phone Line Shutdown: Disruption of communication networks.
• Protests and Riots: Public demonstrations, including tearing down banners and burning a police station.
• Treason Charges: Serious accusations against opposition leaders, potentially carrying the death penalty.
• Disappearances: Cases of individuals going missing, with human rights groups calling for investigations.
• Election Observers: International and regional bodies monitoring the election process.
• Low Voter Turnout: A smaller than expected number of people participating in voting.
• Tear Gas: A chemical agent used by police to disperse crowds.

Tanzania Elections: Unrest and Restrictions

1. Post-Election Unrest in Dar es Salaam

• Event: Following general elections in Tanzania, protests erupted in the main city, Dar es Salaam.
• Actions: Protesters tore down banners supporting the incumbent president and burned a police station.
• Response: Police imposed an evening curfew in Dar es Salaam in response to the unrest.

2. Presidential Election Landscape

• Candidates: There are 17 presidential candidates.
• Incumbent: Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling CCM party is widely expected to win.
• Opposition Challenges:
  • Main opposition candidates have been either barred from standing or jailed.
  • The strongest opponents are on trial for treason, facing potential death penalty.
  • The presidential candidate of the third biggest party, ACT Wazalendo, has been disqualified.
• Outcome: President Hassan is effectively running unopposed at the presidential level, leading to a foregone conclusion for her win.

3. Media and Communication Blackout

• Situation: A media blackout has been in effect since midday.
• Impact: Internet and phone lines have been shut down, making it extremely difficult to obtain information from within the country, even for colleagues on the ground.

4. Observed Election Day Events

• Voter Turnout: Reports indicate a very low voter turnout.
• Protests: Videos showed protests occurring, primarily in Dar es Salaam but also in smaller towns.
• Police Action: Police were seen dispersing protesters with tear gas.
• Injuries: Some injuries were reported, but their severity is unknown.
• Protester Chants: Protesters were heard chanting against the ruling CCM party and President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

5. Tanzania's Democratic Stability and Recent Changes

• Historical Context: Tanzania has historically been viewed as one of Africa's more stable democracies.
• Ruling Party Dominance: The CCM ruling party has been in power since independence, meaning there has never been a change in government.
• Current Concerns:
  • Worry is growing due to a crackdown on opposition members and government critics.
  • Human rights groups have called for investigations into disappearances, which they state have reached unprecedented levels.
  • The disappearances have involved more high-profile individuals, such as a former ambassador, compared to previous instances.

6. Expectations for the Coming Days

• Information Flow: Hope is for the restoration of internet and phone lines to allow more information to be released.
• Results: Preliminary and official election results are expected within the next three days.
• Observer Statements: Anticipation of statements from election observers, including those from the African Union and the East African Community, who were present on the ground.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Argument: The current election in Tanzania is heavily skewed in favor of the incumbent due to the suppression of opposition.
  • Evidence: Main opposition leaders jailed on treason charges, disqualification of other key candidates, leading to President Hassan effectively running unopposed.
• Perspective: Tanzania's reputation for stability is being undermined by a recent crackdown on dissent.
  • Evidence: Reports of disappearances reaching unprecedented levels, calls for government investigation by human rights groups, and the silencing of media and communication channels.
• Argument: The low voter turnout suggests a lack of confidence or participation in the electoral process.
  • Evidence: Direct observation and reporting of a "very low voter turnout" on election day.

Notable Quotes

• "So, but what we did hear earlier in the day is um that people were voting that there was a very low voter turnout as you said also we saw uh videos of protests happening um mainly in the commercial capital Dar Salam but also in some other small smaller towns." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "Um so, yeah, so we're hoping that these that more information will come out of Tanzania in the next few days." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "Um on a presidential level definitely yes. uh because while there are 16 16 other candidates um the main opposition leader has been in jail since April facing treason charges and also the presidential candidate of the third biggest party ACT Wazalendo um has been disqualified from running." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "So basically uh she is running unopposed. So that uh basically leaves yeah nobody else up there for running for president." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "But what we must also remember is that um the CCM ruling party has been in power basically since independence. So the opposition there there's never been a change in government since independence." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "So um and for example human rights groups have been um calling on on on the government to investigate cases of disappearances um and which they say they can't directly link to the government but the government should at least investigate them." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "So um and they say that this has um that this has reached uh unprecedented levels and also that the number the people who have gone missing for example a former ambassador have been uh more high-profile people than before." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.
• "So, one thing we're hoping for really is that um basically the internet and also the phone lines will be restored so that we can get more information out of the country." - Cella Ano, DW's East Africa correspondent.

Conclusion

The general elections in Tanzania have been marked by significant unrest, including protests and the burning of a police station in Dar es Salaam, leading to a police curfew. The electoral process appears heavily consolidated, with incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan facing no credible opposition due to the jailing and disqualification of key rivals. This situation, coupled with a media and communication blackout, raises serious concerns about democratic freedoms and human rights, particularly in light of increased disappearances and crackdowns on critics. While official results are pending, the events highlight a departure from Tanzania's historical image of stability, with international observers expected to provide further insights.