Tanzania Aborts Independence Festivities to Rebuild After Post-Election Turmoil
On Monday, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced that Tanzania will suspend its December 9 independence celebrations, reallocating the funds to repair infrastructure damaged during violent post-election unrest that has plunged the country into its most severe political crisis in decades.
The decision follows calls by opposition groups urging citizens to gather on independence day to protest the killings that erupted after the disputed October 29 election, raising fears of renewed clashes across the East African nation. Nchemba appealed to Tanzanians to shun violence and engage in constructive dialogue, emphasizing that the country cannot afford a repeat of recent events.
Opposition leaders claim that hundreds were killed during the crackdown, though the government has yet to release an official death toll and has established a commission of inquiry. President Samia Suluhu Hassan reportedly won nearly 98 percent of the vote, but opposition figures have denounced the election as illegitimate. Key challengers were prevented from contesting—Tundu Lissu remains detained on treason charges he denies, and Luhaga Mpina’s candidacy was rejected on procedural grounds.
Regional and international observers have expressed concern over the electoral process. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) said the October 29 polls failed to meet standards for a free and credible election, citing intimidation, restrictions on political participation, and serious transparency gaps. European Union and African Union monitors echoed these concerns, warning that democratic norms were compromised.
An international coalition, including the Madrid Bar Association and World Jurists Association, has formally petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Suluhu and her administration for alleged crimes against humanity. The 82-page submission details systematic attacks on civilians, citing killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and a coordinated internet blackout allegedly used to conceal mass casualties.
Authorities imposed a five-day internet shutdown beginning on election day, severely limiting communication and complicating verification of casualty figures. Hundreds of young people were arrested in the wake of the unrest and charged with treason, a capital offense. In response to mounting pressure, the president has authorized the release of several detainees and the dropping of some cases.
Verified footage and satellite imagery indicate overcrowded morgues and recently disturbed graves, supporting reports of mass burials. Opposition figures claim that authorities removed bodies from hospitals and streets to undisclosed locations, though independent verification remains challenging.
President Suluhu, Tanzania’s first female leader, assumed office in 2021 following John Magufuli’s death and was initially lauded for easing political restrictions. However, repression has intensified in recent years, sharply contrasting with the relative openness that marked the beginning of her tenure.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation into the alleged killings and human rights violations. The unrest has severely disrupted Tanzania’s informal economy, which employs roughly 80 percent of the population, as traders faced heightened security risks.
Religious and civil society organizations have questioned the impartiality of the government-established inquiry commission. The crisis has drawn international condemnation, with countries including Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom citing credible reports of large-scale fatalities.
The suspension of independence celebrations marks an unprecedented moment in Tanzania’s history, reflecting the deep scars left by an election that has cast serious doubts on the nation’s democratic trajectory.
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Source: Araba Sey
