At least 700 people have died in Tanzania following days of violent protests after disputed national elections, the opposition has claimed. Independent and United Nations reports, however, confirm far fewer deaths, highlighting deep uncertainty over the true toll.
The main opposition party, Chadema, said about 700 protesters were killed in clashes with police and soldiers between Monday and Wednesday. The party claims 350 people died in Dar es Salaam, 200 in Mwanza, and the rest in other towns.
The government has not released official figures.
The United Nations human rights office says it has credible reports of at least 10 deaths caused by security forces during the unrest in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro. The UN called on authorities to exercise restraint and allow independent access to verify reports of casualties.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the situation remains tense and difficult to assess because of restricted communication, curfews, and an internet blackout imposed during the election week.
Government spokesperson Hassan Abbas described the violence as “isolated incidents” and accused the opposition of spreading false information to incite more unrest.
Chadema insists its numbers are based on hospital and morgue records collected by its regional coordinators, though those figures have not been independently verified.
International media, including Reuters and The Guardian, report that journalists and observers have been unable to confirm the opposition’s claim. Hospitals in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza have reported receiving several bodies, but no comprehensive data has been made public.
The protests erupted after election results declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner amid accusations of vote rigging and intimidation of opposition supporters. Security forces have since deployed heavily in major cities, enforcing curfews and arresting hundreds.
The UN and African Union have called for dialogue, urging all parties to prioritize peace and transparency.
