The United Nations has issued a call for a thorough investigation into the reported deaths of hundreds of individuals during protests against the disputed Tanzanian presidential election. The election, held on October 29, saw the exclusion of candidates from the two main opposition parties, sparking widespread unrest. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concerns over what he described as ‘an apparent attempt to conceal evidence,’ citing reports that police removed bodies from mortuaries to undisclosed locations. Türk urged Tanzanian authorities to release the bodies to families for proper burial. The primary opposition party, Chadema, claims that approximately 2,000 people were killed over three days of protests, though the government has not provided an official death toll. The UN statement referenced ‘hundreds’ of fatalities but noted the difficulty in verifying exact numbers due to Tanzania’s volatile security situation and a six-day internet blackout following the election. Videos purportedly showing security forces shooting protesters circulated online once internet access was restored, prompting the government to warn citizens against sharing such content, threatening arrests and treason charges. Additionally, hundreds of individuals have been charged with treason in connection with the protests. The UN has called for the unconditional release of all detained opposition officials, including Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, whose treason trial was postponed due to security concerns. Meanwhile, newly elected members of parliament were sworn in on Tuesday, with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party maintaining its dominant majority. Mussa Zungu, a member of the ruling party, was elected as the new speaker of parliament. Tensions remain high in Tanzania as the ruling party continues to suppress opposition voices and consolidate its long-standing grip on power.
UN rights chief calls for a probe into killings in Tanzania and allegations of concealing evidence
