Tanzania’s Army Chief Warns Protesters Amid Escalating Post-Election Violence

Tanzania’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Jacob John Mkunda, has warned those taking part in the violent demonstrations that followed the country’s recent general elections, insisting that law and order must be upheld and that perpetrators will face consequences.

In a televised national address on Thursday, General Mkunda said the army is working hand in hand with other security organs to bring the situation under control. He called on citizens to desist from acts of violence and respect the rule of law.

The statement came as anti-government protests spread across several major cities, with opposition supporters disputing the presidential and parliamentary election results announced on Wednesday, which they claim were manipulated.

Reports indicate that hundreds of protesters fled toward the Kenyan border, where they blocked roads, set fires, and destroyed billboards featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Kenyan police said two people died while trying to escape Tanzanian security forces.

Opposition parties accuse the government of stifling democracy, noting that one of their key leaders remains in custody on treason charges, while another was disqualified from contesting, developments that effectively cleared the path for President Samia’s re-election.

Violence Intensifies as Vote Results Are Released

Tensions rose sharply on Thursday when the National Electoral Commission announced that President Samia had secured about 95 percent of the vote in Mbeya, a region in southern Tanzania.

The European Union Parliament denounced the election as “a months-long orchestrated fraud.”

Election day was marred by clashes between demonstrators and police, gunfire in Mwanza, and chaos in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, where thick smoke from burning tires filled the air.

Across the border, Kenyan authorities warned their citizens to stay away from demonstrations near Namanga, as trade in the area came to a standstill. In Tanzania, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters, while the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam reported that roads leading to the international airport had been blocked.

A witness in Mwanza told the BBC: “Within minutes, we heard gunshots and tear gas canisters exploding. People were running in all directions, and several were injured.”

Amid growing unrest, the Tanzanian government directed civil servants to work from home until Friday, citing safety concerns.

Deaths, Curfew, and Internet Shutdown

Amnesty International condemned reports that both a civilian and a police officer were killed in Wednesday’s clashes, describing the incidents as “deeply disturbing.” The rights organization also criticized the government’s nationwide internet blackout, saying it could fuel more unrest by cutting off access to reliable information.

Authorities in Dar es Salaam have imposed a nighttime curfew, and hospitals  including Muhimbili National Hospital  have been overwhelmed with injured protesters.

Meanwhile, demonstrators are reportedly using a walkie-talkie mobile app called Zello to coordinate protests amid the communication shutdown.

Political Landscape and Rising Criticism

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, is poised to secure a second term in power.

Her early years in office were marked by promises of reform and inclusivity, but her administration has since faced growing accusations of authoritarianism, including the suppression of opposition voices and restrictions on political activity.

The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, remains jailed on treason allegations, which he strongly denies, while Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party was removed from the list of approved presidential candidates.

As the protests continue and security forces tighten their grip, analysts warn that the situation could deteriorate into a deeper national crisis unless the government opens channels for political dialogue and reconciliation.