ADVERTISEMENT Opposition urges UN, ICC intervention amid internet blackout and disputed elections
Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has accused the government of orchestrating a cover-up to conceal the true scale of deaths that occurred during violent clashes following the country’s disputed October 29 General Election.
In a strongly worded statement, CHADEMA Secretary General John Mnyika alleged that police officers have been secretly moving across hospitals, collecting bodies of people killed during post-election protests. The opposition believes the move is intended to suppress the official death toll and destroy evidence of excessive police force.
“The situation has become grave,” Mnyika said. “Security forces used brutal force against peaceful protesters who were merely expressing their frustration over stolen votes.”
CHADEMA claims that several hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza are overwhelmed by the number of casualties, while some facilities have reportedly been instructed not to release information about the victims. The party also reports that many injured demonstrators are unable to access medical treatment due to ongoing unrest, limited transport, and an internet shutdown that has paralyzed communication across the country.
The opposition is now calling for urgent international intervention, urging the United Nations, African Union, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate what it describes as “state-sponsored killings” and hold those responsible to account.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the election with more than 97 percent of the vote, a result CHADEMA and other opposition groups have dismissed as fraudulent. They allege widespread vote rigging, intimidation of polling agents, and manipulation of tallying centers to secure victory for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
International concern has continued to mount. Several global leaders and organizations — including the European Union, Amnesty International, and senior UN officials — have urged the Tanzanian government to allow an independent investigation into the alleged killings and ensure transparency in addressing post-election grievances.
Despite mounting pressure, the government has not issued a detailed response to the accusations. Authorities have previously maintained that the security forces acted lawfully to maintain order and protect public property during what they termed as “unauthorized demonstrations.”
Meanwhile, CHADEMA insists that the restoration of internet access is critical to safeguarding the flow of information and ensuring the world learns the truth about what is happening in Tanzania.
As the standoff deepens, the nation remains on edge — with fears that further government crackdowns could escalate an already volatile political crisis.
