In brief
In Tanzania, violent protests erupted following the general elections, with reports of up to 700 deaths according to opposition sources. The Chadema party claims its members faced extreme violence as protests denouncing the election's fairness erupted, particularly following the disqualification of key opposition candidates. The government has acknowledged some unrest but downplayed its scale, while international observers express alarm over the situation. Amid an ongoing internet blackout, the full extent of the violence and casualties remains difficult to ascertain.
Hundreds of people have been killed in Tanzania during three days of protests following Wednesday's general election, the country's main opposition party has said.
A Chadema party spokesperson told AFP that around 700 people had died in clashes with security forces. A nationwide internet shutdown is making it difficult to verify reports of deaths.
The BBC has spoke to a diplomatic source in Tanzania who said there was credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.
However, a government minister defended the government's handling of the unrest, stating that nobody can state how many were injured.
Demonstrations have taken place in major cities, with young protesters denouncing the vote as unfair as key opposition figures were barred from running against President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described the unrest as isolated pockets of incidents and claimed that security forces acted swiftly to address the situation.
Protests have continued, particularly in Dar es Salaam, where demonstrators defied warnings from military authorities to cease the unrest.
Reports indicate vandalism of properties, which authorities attribute to an internet blackout deemed necessary to prevent further violence.
Despite a military crackdown, casualties in hospitals have surged, leading to overcrowding in morgues. Various sources express fears for safety, with several opposition leaders reportedly fleeing the country amid fears of night-time attacks.
The UN has urged Tanzania to exercise restraint in its response to the protests, with international observers noting a significant decrease in voter turnout during the election.
Reports from Zanzibar indicate a contested election, where the opposition alleges widespread fraud, further highlighting the tensions in the nation.
As the electoral commission begins to release results, observers expect President Samia to retain power under the ruling CCM party, which has dominated Tanzanian politics since independence.
