Tanzania faces scrunity over crackdown on dissent | DW News

Key Concepts

• Post-election violence: Violence occurring after an election, often due to disputed results or political tensions.
• Opposition party: A political party that is not in power and aims to challenge the ruling party.
• Disputed poll: An election where the results are contested or questioned.
• Treason: The crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
• Authoritarian regimes: Governments characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.
• Dissent: The expression of opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially expressed.
• Accountability: The obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.
• Gagging of the media: Restricting or censoring the press.
• Rule of law: The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.
• Judiciary: The system of courts that interprets and applies the law.

Allegations of Post-Election Violence in Tanzania

The main opposition party in Tanzania, Chadma, alleges that approximately 2,000 Tanzanians were killed in post-election violence. Critics suggest this violence was used to consolidate President Samia Suluhu Hassan's power. However, the exact death toll remains unconfirmed, and the government disputes the figures provided by the opposition.

Witness Testimonies and Evidence

• Personal Accounts: The transcript includes a testimony from a 32-year-old man, referred to as "Duma," who was shot by police at his doorstep while fetching water the day after the election. He describes being on the ground, bleeding, and seeing police aiming at him. He expresses trauma and fear, initially mistaking the reporter for intelligence agents.
• Visual Evidence: Images appearing to show armed men using violent force against protesters have emerged.
• Eyewitness Accounts of Shootings: A resident describes hearing "pop pop pop" gunshots and witnessing multiple bodies in pools of blood, expressing confusion and fear.
• Archbishop's Condemnation: Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Ruwaichi of Dar es Salaam condemned the killings during a funeral service, stating that the nation has been wounded, lost its dignity, honor, and citizens who were unlawfully killed. He highlighted that people were killed while demonstrating and even in their homes, emphasizing that this does not reflect the true Tanzania.

Government Response and Restrictions

• Denial and Dispute: The Tanzanian government disputes the reported death toll and has not officially addressed the alleged killings.
• Media Restrictions: Foreign journalists have been denied access, and local reporters are reportedly unable to speak freely. A team filming for DW was repeatedly stopped by armed police.
• Legal Charges: Nearly 400 people have been charged with election-related offenses. TikToker Jennifer Jovin, known as "Nifer," faces treason charges for a video advising followers to buy masks for protection against tear gas.
• Warning Against Sharing Images: Authorities have warned that anyone sharing images or videos of the dead will be charged with treason.
• Vice President's Statement: Vice President Philip Mpango insists that the country is calm and that the government has taken steps to restore unity and uphold the rule of law.

International Concern and Calls for Investigation

• UN Human Rights Chief: The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has indicated signs of a possible cover-up, citing claims of police removing bodies from mortuaries.
• UN Spokesperson's Statement: A UN spokesperson called for an urgent investigation, citing disturbing reports of hundreds of protesters and others killed, an unknown number injured or detained, and security forces allegedly removing bodies from streets and hospitals to undisclosed locations to conceal evidence.
• Expert Analysis (Isabelle Brenda): Isabelle Brenda, Senior Democracy, Governance and Elections Advisor at Governance Hub Africa, highlights the government's efforts to conceal numbers from civil society, activists, and community-based organizations. She notes that people in hospitals and mortuaries are missing. Brenda expresses doubt about the credibility of any investigations if the data on the ground is compromised due to the gagging of the media and civil society, and the public's fear of being charged with treason for sharing information. She points out that Kenyan journalists are helping to expose the situation in Tanzania.

Challenges to Accountability and Regional Trends

• Government Non-Cooperation: Brenda believes the international community will face significant challenges in pushing for accountability as the Tanzanian government shows no signs of cooperating. President Hassan is reportedly working hard to maintain her claim of legitimate election victory.
• Impact on East African Community: The post-election events are affecting the East African community, particularly concerning trade issues.
• Shift in Tanzanian Citizen Engagement: Brenda observes that Tanzanians are becoming more attentive and are starting to question government spending and accountability, suggesting that President Hassan will face a difficult time ruling. She describes Tanzania as "awake."
• Regional Authoritarianism: The discussion extends to similar crackdowns on protesters in Kenya and Uganda. Examples include Kenya's president defending a "shoot in the leg" order and Uganda's president admitting to detaining Kenyan activists.
• Authoritarian Regimes in East Africa: Brenda notes a "close collaboration between oppressive regimes" in East Africa, with leaders experiencing "authoritarian regimes." She believes this is a response to the younger generation (Gen Z) who are more digitally connected and less civil in their demands for reform compared to previous generations.
• Gen Z and Digital Age: This generation, raised in the digital age, shares a mindset that makes it difficult for authoritarian leaders to suppress dissent.
• Institutional Strength: Brenda contrasts Kenya, where the judiciary is seen as a functioning institution that can push back against oppression, with Tanzania and Uganda, where dispute resolution mechanisms are lacking. She hopes for stronger constitutions in Tanzania and Uganda to protect citizens' rights.

Conclusion

The transcript details serious allegations of post-election violence in Tanzania, with credible witness testimonies and international concern over potential cover-ups. The government's response, characterized by denial, restrictions on media and civil society, and legal charges, creates a climate of fear and hinders accountability. This situation is framed within a broader regional trend of increasing authoritarianism in East Africa, where younger, digitally connected generations are challenging established regimes. The lack of strong, independent institutions in Tanzania and Uganda is highlighted as a significant obstacle to protecting citizens' rights and ensuring democratic processes.