Tanzania plunged into political chaos on Wednesday as violence and protests marred the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The unrest, which began in the early hours of the day, spread rapidly across major cities, prompting police to impose a nationwide curfew.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking a second term in office, is widely expected to win by a landslide after the main opposition party boycotted the polls. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in custody facing treason charges he denies a move that has fueled accusations of political repression and sparked widespread anger among citizens.
Trouble broke out when demonstrators stormed several polling stations, accusing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party of electoral malpractice and stifling dissent. Videos circulating on social media showed crowds chanting “Hatutaki CCM” (we don’t want CCM) as police fired tear gas to disperse them.
In one viral clip, a police officer who had become separated from his unit was surrounded and stoned by an angry mob in Dar es Salaam. Reports indicate that several people were injured in the clashes, while local businesses were looted and vehicles set ablaze.
By evening, parts of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza were scenes of chaos, with thick smoke filling the air as protesters burned tyres and blocked major highways. International media, including the BBC, confirmed the violence, reporting that several roads were impassable due to ongoing demonstrations.
Authorities have since imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, urging citizens to remain indoors as security forces work to restore order. Meanwhile, human rights groups are calling for calm and demanding that the government ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
As tensions continue to rise, Tanzania faces one of its most turbulent elections in recent history, with the world watching closely to see how the government responds to the growing calls for democratic reform.
