"Violent demonstrations broke out in Tanzania's largest city, Dar es Salaam, as the country held an election on Wednesday. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president, is expected to strengthen her grip on the country against the backdrop of rapidly intensifying repression and the exclusion of opponents from the presidential contest. Social media videos show protesters throwing rocks at police, and a petrol station burning."
"Internet service was disrupted across the country, the global monitor NetBlocks said. Live network data show a nationwide disruption corroborating reports of a digital blackout, it posted on X. Hassan, a former vice-president who took office after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021, has left nothing to chance for her first presidential test. Opponents from the two main opposition parties in the east African country have been disqualified and government critics have been abducted, killed or arrested."
Violent demonstrations erupted in Dar es Salaam during national elections, with protesters throwing rocks at police and a petrol station set ablaze. Nationwide internet disruptions consistent with a digital blackout were reported by NetBlocks, impeding communications. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is poised to consolidate power amid intensifying repression, disqualification of major opposition candidates, and reports of abductions, killings and arrests of government critics. Analysts predict voter apathy, possible unrest and further entrenchment of the ruling CCM party. Early conciliatory moves by Hassan gave way to a renewed pattern of repression, undermining prospects for lasting political liberalization.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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