The loss of lives during Tanzania’s election-day protests is a grave concern and a reminder of how fragile civic freedoms remain in the country.
Development Diaries reports that two people were killed and several others injured during recent protests calling for a boycott of the 2025 general elections.
According to a report by Amnesty International, a civilian and one police officer were killed during election day protests across Tanzania.
Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah said, ‘The authorities have a constitutional responsibility to respect the human rights of all before, during and after the elections’.
Every citizen has the right to peacefully express dissent, yet once again, protests have been met with deadly force.
The killing of both a protester and a police officer highlights a deep failure in managing public order without violating human rights.
Instead of responding with violence, the state should prioritise dialogue and ensure that security forces act within the limits of the law.
Under both the Tanzanian Constitution and international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Tanzania is obligated to protect the rights to life, peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
The use of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and internet disruptions during elections contradict these commitments.
Also, the decision to block opposition candidates and restrict online access further raises questions about the fairness of the electoral process.
Shutting down the internet and silencing journalists is not governance; it is control. Such actions only deepen mistrust between citizens and the government, creating an atmosphere of fear instead of participation.
For elections to have legitimacy, they must be transparent, inclusive, and respectful of human rights at every stage.
The Tanzanian government must urgently investigate the killings, hold those responsible accountable, and guarantee full internet access.
Security agencies should receive clear directives to protect, not punish, peaceful protesters.
Photo source: Amnesty International
