from ALLOYCE KIMBUNGA in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania Bureau
DAR-ES-SALAAM, (CAJ News) – WITH a number of people killed, the incumbent under pressure to step down and protesters breaking through to the largest airport, the situation in Tanzania is degenerating into the country’s worst crisis post-independence.
An unofficial source reported at least 165 people had been killed.
The country has spilled into mayhem since polls held on Wednesday, when Samia Suluhu Hassan, sought to retain power under controversial circumstances.
Protests that broke out in the main cities, with the commercial city of Dar es Salaam the epicentre, overshadowed election day.
Security forces opened fire on protesters resulting in an unspecified number of civilians killed and injured.
The situation deteriorated on Thursday as protesters breached the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and blocked runways.
Flights were cancelled.
Demonstrators also raided military barracks and torched barricades.
Reports that Hassan had taken a “lead” as vote counting started further agitated the demonstrations.
The unrest spread to the border with Kenya in the north.
Reports emerged from Kenya that some Kenyans attempted to force entry into Tanzania via the Namanga border to join the protests.
“Gen Z” (youth) protesters reportedly driven off with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ballot collection vehicle.
The United States advised its citizens in Tanzania to be on alert.
“Travel by road poses significant risk,” it warned.
An analyst said, “Samia Suluhu Hassan’s moment of truth has arrived.”
“The question is no longer if she will step aside, but when she will hand over to a transitional mechanism. Tanzania now stands on the edge of history.”
A youthful protester in Kenya, expressing solidarity with Tanzanians, chanted, “We are not safe until our neighbours are safe too. Real brotherhood and sisterhood!”
Liberatus Mwang’ombe, human rights activist, said “Samia’s police” had murdered “dozens” of peaceful protesters and shut down the internet to conceal the violations.
He reported some officers had abandoned their uniforms amid public outrage.
“The revolution is here,” Mwang’ombe said.
NetBlocks late Thursday reported Tanzania’s internet shutdown had entered a second night after authorities imposed a blackout during Wednesday’s election, with only a brief restoration tracked earlier on Thursday.
“The censorship measure continues to severely limit transparency at a critical moment,” NetBlocks stated.
It had been reported earlier that they had stormed Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) offices, demanding the immediate restoration of internet access.
Entrepreneur, Jackson Munuo, said, “This regime’s days are numbered.”
Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) had not commented on the post-election crisis.
She has been in power since 2021 after then president, John Magufuli, passed away.
Critics accuse her of dictatorship after the main opposition and rival candidates were barred from the election.
– CAJ News