Tanzania Lifts Curfew in Dar es Salaam After Election Unrest Leaves Hundreds Feared Dead

Tanzanian authorities have lifted the week-long night-time curfew imposed on Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital, following violent clashes that erupted after disputed general elections last Wednesday. The curfew was introduced as part of an emergency response to widespread protests, which left scores of people dead and disrupted daily life in one of East Africa’s largest cities.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that the curfew had officially been lifted as calm began returning to the city. Shops reopened, public transport resumed, and traffic began to flow again, though queues persisted at fuel stations and supplies of essential goods remained limited.

The unrest followed the announcement of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s victory, with official results declaring that she had secured 98% of the vote. However, the opposition and several observers described the election as neither free nor fair, sparking nationwide demonstrations.

The post-election violence marks one of Tanzania’s most turbulent moments in recent history. What began as peaceful demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud quickly escalated into deadly confrontations between opposition supporters and security forces.

Opposition party Chadema, led by detained politician Tundu Lissu, claimed that “no fewer than 800 people” had been killed in the crackdown. Diplomatic sources cited by international media put the death toll at over 500, while the United Nations Human Rights Office reported at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities. The Tanzanian government has not yet released official casualty figures.

Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, including the Muhimbili National Hospital, reportedly struggled to handle the number of casualties. A doctor at the facility, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, alleged that “municipal burial service” vehicles had been collecting bodies at night and removing them to undisclosed locations.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both condemned the government’s response to the protests, accusing security forces of using excessive and lethal force. Both organisations have urged independent investigations into the violence and called on authorities to respect the rights of Tanzanian citizens.

For many Tanzanians, the human toll of the unrest is still unfolding. Families in Dar es Salaam and other cities continue to search for missing relatives.

One mother, identified as Mama Kassim, told reporters that her two sons disappeared on polling day. “I don’t know whether they’ve been arrested, injured, or killed. I just want to know where they are,” she said.

In another tragic case, a Kenyan family confirmed that a 33-year-old teacher, John Okoth Ogutu, was killed during the protests. Ogutu, who worked at Sky School in Dar es Salaam, was reportedly shot by police while buying food near Gaba Centre. His sister, Celestine Ogutu, described him as “a kind, hardworking man who avoided conflict.” The family has appealed to Kenyan authorities to assist in repatriating his body.

Meanwhile, Chadema officials reported that their deputy chairman, John Heche, has gone missing after being taken into police custody in Dodoma on Tuesday morning. His family and party members say his whereabouts remain unknown. Police have declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to the government’s spokesperson, who has yet to respond.

Tanzania Internet and Communications Still Restricted

Although the curfew has been lifted, Tanzania’s internet services remain partially restricted. The nationwide internet blackout, imposed shortly after the elections, has been gradually eased, but access to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp is still limited.

Authorities have warned citizens against sharing protest images or “unverified information” online, citing national security concerns. Civil society groups, however, argue that the restrictions are an attempt to suppress documentation of the violence and to silence dissent.

Digital rights organisations say that Tanzania has seen an increasing trend of internet shutdowns during politically sensitive periods, raising concerns about transparency and freedom of expression in the country.

The credibility of the 2025 elections has been questioned both domestically and internationally. Observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) noted that the polls “fell short of key democratic standards,” citing restricted political participation and lack of transparency in the vote-counting process.

Two of Tanzania’s main opposition leaders were prevented from running. Chadema’s Tundu Lissu remains in detention on treason charges, which he denies, while another major opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina, was disqualified on technical grounds. Critics argue that the exclusion of prominent candidates severely undermined the legitimacy of the election.

During her swearing-in ceremony on Monday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan acknowledged the “loss of lives and destruction of property,” but claimed that some of those arrested were foreign nationals “involved in inciting unrest.” The government has downplayed the scale of the violence, attributing much of it to “external interference.”

Samia, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, was initially praised for relaxing some of the political restrictions of her predecessor. However, critics say the current election and its aftermath suggest a reversal toward political intolerance and authoritarian control.

The unrest in Tanzania has drawn attention from across Africa, especially as the continent faces a series of disputed elections in 2025. Analysts warn that the situation could erode Tanzania’s longstanding reputation for political stability and may strain relations with regional bodies advocating for democratic reforms.

As Dar es Salaam and other cities slowly return to normal, questions remain about accountability, justice, and reconciliation. Human rights groups are calling for international investigations, while the opposition insists that dialogue is the only way forward.

For ordinary Tanzanians, however, the immediate focus is recovery — reopening schools, restoring communication networks, and ensuring that families can locate missing relatives.

Whether President Samia’s government can restore confidence at home and abroad will depend on how transparently it addresses allegations of abuse and electoral fraud. Tanzania’s democratic credibility — once a regional model — now hangs in the balance.

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