Tanzania officials seek arrest of opposition leaders after fatal election protests

"Tanzania is seeking the arrest of 10 people, including senior opposition figures, it has blamed for the deadly protests during elections last week. More than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the demonstrations, according to the main opposition party, Chadema, and human rights bodies. The Tanzanian government has said these figures were exaggerated but did not give its own figures."

"The incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was deemed the winner of the election with 98% of the vote, but the opposition which was barred from participating condemned the results as fraudulent. The government claimed the elections were free and fair, but the main rivals were not allowed to run, election observers said the vote was not democratic and cited instances of ballot stuffing."

"Chadema's secretary general, John Mnyika, the party's deputy, Amani Golugwa, and the head of communications, Brenda Rupia, were among those wanted for arrest. The leader of Chadema, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason in April and not allowed to run in the elections. The exclusion of Lissu and other political figures from the ballot fuelled the ensuing protests. According to Amnesty International, in the run-up to the elections, Tanzanian authorities carried out enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings."

Tanzanian authorities are seeking the arrest of 10 people, including senior opposition figures, and prosecutors have charged 145 people with treason after violent post-election protests. Chadema and human rights bodies state that security forces killed more than 1,000 people during demonstrations, while the government called those figures exaggerated and offered no alternate toll. Incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared winner with 98% of the vote amid a boycott and barred opposition candidates; election observers cited ballot stuffing and said the vote was not democratic. Amnesty International reported enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, internet cuts and excessive force during the run-up and aftermath.

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