Tanzania opposition groups say ‘hundreds dead’ in post-election protests | DW News

Key Concepts

• Post-election protests
• Internet blackout
• Media blackout
• Curfews
• Exclusion of opposition candidates
• Allegations of unfair election results
• Human rights concerns
• Verification of information
• Discrepancies in casualty figures
• Government crackdown
• Security forces' actions (firearms, tear gas)
• Enforced disappearances
• Rampant corruption
• Vandalism of public property
• Government narrative vs. ground reality
• Calls for restraint
• Accreditation for journalists

Tanzania Post-Election Unrest: A Summary

Following a general election on Wednesday, Tanzania has been experiencing widespread post-election protests, met with curfews and an internet blackout imposed by authorities. The demonstrations erupted due to allegations of an unfair election, particularly after the exclusion of the president's main challengers from the ballot.

Information Blackout and Verification Challenges

A significant challenge in understanding the situation on the ground is the internet and media blackout, which commenced on Wednesday, October 29th. While footage of protests has emerged on social media, the limited number of journalists present and the inability to reach local reporters due to the blackout make verification difficult. Human rights activists are a primary source of information, but the scale of events makes comprehensive updates challenging. The UN has confirmed some deaths, but rights groups believe the actual numbers are significantly higher.

Discrepancies in Casualty Figures and Human Rights Concerns

Figures regarding the injured and deceased vary widely. A human rights lawyer in Tanzania, whose identity is being protected for security reasons, reported hearing of several deaths and is working to confirm more cases. He anticipates the government will not acknowledge these fatalities, stating, "We we think that it won't acknowledge but however the government must act in the interest of the people." The UN has confirmed 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro, attributing them to security forces using firearms and tear gas. However, human rights organizations estimate the death toll to be between 500 and 700, though these figures are subject to verification.

Protesters' Grievances and Government Response

Nicodemus Minda, a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies in Nairobi, described the situation as "very grave" with ongoing pockets of violence and protests despite a strong military and security presence. The protesters' demands stem from the exclusion of the two main opposition parties from the elections, the perceived unfairness of the electoral process, rampant corruption, and alleged government abductions and enforced disappearances of critics. The government has largely downplayed the protests, describing acts of vandalism of government facilities and petrol stations as "isolated incidents" and labeling protesters as "criminals."

Impact of Crackdown on Media and Information Flow

The crackdown on the media, including internet blackouts and curfews, severely hinders the flow of reliable information. Journalists are facing difficulties in obtaining accreditation to enter the country, and local reporters are often unable to leave their homes due to government directives. While some communication is still possible via phone networks within the country, external communication is restricted. This lack of information exacerbates the situation, making it difficult for people to ascertain the full extent of the impact on their relatives and friends.

International Reactions and Calls for Restraint

Human rights groups, particularly in Kenya, have been vocal in their concerns and are attempting to document casualties. The UN and Amnesty International have urged the Tanzanian government to exercise restraint and allow peaceful protests.

Government's Stance and Future Outlook

The Tanzanian government has not been forthcoming with information regarding the protests, appearing to "sweep things under the carpet." Their narrative focuses on minor skirmishes and criminal activity. It remains uncertain whether the government can quickly regain control, especially as more information about the impact of the protests and the government's crackdown may emerge in the coming days.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Opposition and Human Rights Groups: Argue that the elections were unfair due to the exclusion of key opposition figures and that the government's response to protests has been excessive, leading to significant casualties. They emphasize the need for transparency and accountability.
• Government: Presents a narrative of isolated incidents and criminal activity, downplaying the scale of the protests and the government's role in the violence.
• Journalists and Researchers: Highlight the challenges in verifying information due to the media and internet blackout, underscoring the importance of reliable reporting and the difficulties faced by those trying to document the events.

Notable Quotes

• "We we think that it won't acknowledge but however the government must act in the interest of the people." - Anonymous human rights lawyer in Tanzania.
• "The situation is still very grave and of course uh with the widespread internet shutdown and media um almost media shutdown as well." - Nicodemus Minda, researcher with the Institute for Security Studies.
• "So we're not sure if they can actually get the situation under control so quickly, especially when in a couple of days when people kind of get more information and maybe start hearing about relatives, about friends, about other people affected by by by the protest and by also the government crackdown." - Cella Anko, DW East Africa correspondent.

Conclusion

The situation in Tanzania is characterized by a severe information vacuum created by government-imposed internet and media blackouts, making it difficult to ascertain the full extent of post-election protests and the government's response. Allegations of an unfair election, coupled with concerns about human rights abuses and a lack of transparency, are fueling ongoing unrest. International bodies and human rights organizations are calling for restraint and accountability from the Tanzanian authorities.