Around 700 Apparently Slain in Tanzania Poll Unrest, Opposition Asserts
Based on the primary opposition party, roughly 700 citizens have allegedly been slain during three days of election-related unrest in Tanzania.
Unrest Begins on Polling Day
Demonstrations erupted on election day over allegations that demonstrators described as the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of prominent candidates from the presidential race.
Death Figures Stated
An rival representative claimed that numerous of people had been slain since the unrest began.
"Currently, the death toll in Dar es Salaam is about 350 and for another city it is more than 200. Added to figures from other regions around the nation, the total figure is approximately 700," he said.
He noted that the death count could be much higher because deaths might be occurring during a night-time lockdown that was implemented from Wednesday.
Additional Reports
- A security insider supposedly claimed there had been reports of exceeding 500 fatalities, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
- Amnesty International stated it had received data that a minimum of 100 people had been killed.
- Rival groups claimed their numbers had been collected by a team of party members visiting medical facilities and medical centers and "tallying the deceased."
Demands for Action
Rival officials called for the administration to "halt killing our protesters" and requested a caretaker administration to facilitate democratic polls.
"Halt violence. Uphold the choice of the people which is fair elections," the official stated.
Government Measures
Authorities reacted by enforcing a restriction. Web outages were also reported, with global monitors indicating it was countrywide.
On Thursday, the army chief condemned the violence and referred to the activists "criminals". The official said authorities would try to manage the situation.
Global Concern
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "deeply concerned" by the fatalities and harm in the demonstrations, adding it had received information that no fewer than 10 civilians had been killed by authorities.
The organization mentioned it had received trustworthy information of deaths in the port city, in a northwestern region and an eastern area, with officials discharging real bullets and chemical irritants to scatter protesters.
Expert Opinion
A civil rights lawyer claimed it was "unacceptable" for law enforcement to use force, noting that the nation's president "ought to refrain from using the police against the civilians."
"The president should pay attention to the public. The sentiment of the country is that there was an unfair process … We are unable to vote for only one option," the advocate commented.