Protests in Tanzania enter day two as 10 reportedly killed, EU calls for ‘firm stand in the defence of democracy and human rights’

Protests in Tanzania enter day two as 10 reportedly killed, EU calls for ‘firm stand in the defence of democracy and human rights’

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM, which has been in power since independence in 1961, sought to extend its rule in Wednesday’s election, with presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties barred from running.

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New violence erupts in Tanzania as voters say they transitioned from ‘cows to active citizens’, state directs civil servants to ‘work from home’

New violence erupts in Tanzania as voters say they transitioned from ‘cows to active citizens’, state directs civil servants to ‘work from home’

Hundreds protested on Wednesday in Tanzania’s largest city, tearing down banners of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and burning a police station, as the East African country went to the polls in elections where the main challengers have either been jailed or barred from standing.

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Suluhu coronation: Rising political tension in Tanzania forces state to deploy the military to man streets and key installations

Suluhu coronation: Rising political tension in Tanzania forces state to deploy the military to man streets and key installations

Human rights organizations have long accused Tanzania’s administration of arresting, detaining and intimidating critics and opposition members. The leader of the main opposition CHADEMA party, Tundu Lissu, is in prison and faces treason charges after calling for electoral reforms, while the candidate of the second-largest opposition party was barred from running.

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Election violence: Tanzania police declare curfew in capital, Dar es Salaam, to suppress ‘Suluhu coronation’ protests

Election violence: Tanzania police declare curfew in capital, Dar es Salaam, to suppress ‘Suluhu coronation’ protests

Chadema had called for protests during the election, which it said amounted to a “coronation” of Hassan, who came to power in 2021 after her predecessor died in office. The party was disqualified in April after it refused to sign a code of conduct, and its leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason.

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Tanzania descends into political unrest as US embassy in Dar s Salaam issues security alert citing ‘country-wide’ protests

Tanzania descends into political unrest as US embassy in Dar s Salaam issues security alert citing ‘country-wide’ protests

An opposition party in Tanzania’s archipelago of Zanzibar, ACT Wazalendo, alleged that early voting on Tuesday — electoral and security officials cast ballots — was marred by irregularities that included voters impersonating security officials and the barring of party representatives by electoral officials.

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Empty polling stations as voters in Tanzania give Suluhu Hassan ‘coronation’ a wide birth

Empty polling stations as voters in Tanzania give Suluhu Hassan ‘coronation’ a wide birth

Humphrey Polepole, a former CCM spokesman and ambassador to Cuba, went missing from his home this month after resigning and criticising Hassan. His family found blood stains in his home.

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