Protesters have taken to the streets in Tanzania for a third day.
Defying warnings from the country’s army chief to end the unrest, hundreds of demonstrators squared off with police for the third day today, Friday, October 31, 2025, demanding the national electoral body stop announcing electoral results.
Demonstrations have been taking place in major cities with young protesters denouncing Wednesday’s election as unfair as key opposition figures were excluded from contesting against President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Demonstrations erupted on Wednesday in the commercial capital of Dar-es-Salaam, a city of more than seven million people, after disputed and chaotic elections that saw the two main opposition parties barred from participating. Sixteen fringe parties, none of whom have historically had significant public support, were cleared to contest the elections.
The protesters accuse the government of undermining democracy, as the main opposition leader is in jail and another opposition figure was disqualified from the election, bolstering Samia’s chances of winning.
Several vehicles, a petrol station and police stations were set ablaze by protesters infuriated by the restricted election choices and harassment of opposition figures.
The government deployed the military onto the streets and enforced an internet shutdown. The internet shutdown remains in place, making it difficult to confirm reports of deaths, and the authorities have extended a curfew in a bid to quell the protests.
Tanzania’s Chief Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally has urged Muslims to perform Friday prayers at home amid fears of escalating violence.
On Thursday, Army Chief General, Jacob John Mkunda ordered the protesters off the streets, saying that the military would work with other security agencies to contain the situation.
“Some people went to the streets on 29 October and committed criminal acts. These are criminals and the criminal acts should be stopped immediately.”
Jacob John Mkunda
On Thursday, protesters who defied a curfew in the Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto and Kiluvya neighbourhoods of Dar-es-Salaam were met with tear gas and the sounds of gunfire. Nonetheless, the protesters have again taken to the streets of the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
According to a state broadcaster, the electoral commission has announced results from more than half of the country’s total 100 constituencies.
President Samia is expected to win the vote under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed the country since independence in 1961. Official results are expected on Saturday.
Opposition Says ‘Hundreds’ Killed In Tanzania Post-Election Protests
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s main opposition party claimed that “around 700” people were killed in protests following this week’s disputed elections.
Chadema party Spokesperson, John Kitoka, “As we speak, the number of deaths in [Dar-es-Salaam] is around 350 and there are more than 200 in Mwanza,” referring to a city in northern Tanzania.
Kitoka said, “If we add the figures from other places in the country, we arrive at a total of around 700 deaths.”
Chadema said that its members had toured hospitals across the country to reach the figure.
However, the opposition’s estimated toll contrasted with that of the United Nations. In a Friday briefing, UN Human Rights Spokesperson, Seif Magango told Geneva reporters “credible sources” had indicated at least 10 deaths at the hands of security forces so far. “We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania,” Magango said.
“We call on the security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions.”
Seif Magango
Tourists on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar – archipelago are also reported to be stranded at the airport, with flight delays because of the protests, which have been on the mainland
