UN Chief Urges Calm Amid Deadly Post-Election Unrest

A street in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania (file photo).

The United Nations has called for restraint in Tanzania amid deadly protests following the 29 October general election, as the country remains under curfew and faces widespread internet restrictions.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres deplored the loss of life and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Secretary-General called for “a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force,” urging Tanzanian authorities to uphold accountability and transparency in handling the post-election unrest.

According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), credible reports indicate that at least ten demonstrators were killed as security forces used firearms and tear gas against protesters in urban areas, including Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro.

Internet restrictions

OHCHR also reported that a nationwide curfew is in effect, while access to the internet appears to have been widely restricted since polling day.

The UN human rights office urged authorities to promptly restore internet services and ensure citizens can fully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Protesters were also urged to demonstrate peacefully.

“Curtailment of communication will only further undermine public trust in the electoral process,” the office said.

The violent post-election scenes follow campaigns marred by allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition figures, including the Chadema party leader and his deputy.

Reports also emerged of enforced disappearances of dissenters, including the country’s former ambassador to Cuba.

Release detainees

“All those in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released, and those held legally must be accorded full due process and fair trial rights,” said OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango, briefing reporters in Geneva on Friday.

“We urge the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.