In the weeks following
Tanzania’s fiercely disputed presidential election, a disturbing picture has
begun to unfold — one marked by violent repression, silenced voices, and a
nation fighting to maintain its reputation as one of East Africa’s most stable democracies.
A detailed CNN investigation, backed by satellite data, authenticated videos,
and extensive witness accounts, reveals a systematic and deadly crackdown on
protesters who took to the streets after the re-election of President Samia
Suluhu Hassan.
President Hassan
claimed an overwhelming 98% victory on October 29, sparking anger nationwide.
Many citizens questioned the fairness of an election in which several key
challengers, including popular opposition leader Tundu Lissu, had been barred
months earlier under accusations widely considered politically motivated.
A Brutal Crackdown in the Streets
As protests erupted,
heavily armed police and civilian militias patrolled major cities. Verified CNN
footage shows officers firing live ammunition at mostly young, unarmed
demonstrators — some carrying only stones or wooden sticks. Several videos
captured the moment officers shot at fleeing protesters, displaying the extreme
and often lethal force used to suppress public dissent.
According to
eyewitnesses, demonstrations began almost immediately after polls opened and
continued for several days. One shocking incident in Arusha involved police
fatally shooting a pregnant woman as she ran from gunfire. Another young man,
posing no threat, was executed with a single bullet to the head.
Internet Blackouts and Curfews to Control the Narrative
To limit the spread of
information, authorities imposed a strict curfew and disabled internet access
shortly after the protests began. For nearly a week, citizens were unable to
communicate, share videos, or reveal details of the unfolding violence. Even
after partial restoration, authorities warned citizens against posting content
that could “cause panic,” creating an environment of fear and censorship.
Initially, government
officials denied any deaths occurred during the protests. However, as videos
and images circulated widely, the truth became increasingly difficult to
suppress. President Hassan later admitted that there had been casualties —
though she did not disclose numbers — while also claiming many protesters were
“paid,” a statement that sparked further public outrage.
Evidence of Mass Casualties and Hidden Graves
One of the most
alarming findings uncovered by investigators involves unusually high numbers of
bodies appearing in local morgues, along with reports of mass burials. Videos
authenticated by CNN show morgues in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza overflowing with
bodies — stacked on stretchers, covering floors, and even placed outside once
capacity was exceeded.
Doctors working in
these hospitals, speaking anonymously, reported nonstop admissions of gunshot
victims. One doctor stated that police delivered bodies “until the morgue was
full,” then continued stacking them outside.
Satellite imagery
shows freshly disturbed land in Kondo cemetery, north of Dar es Salaam. Human
rights groups confirmed this area has recently been used to bury protesters
killed during clashes. Witnesses also reported nighttime burials carried out in
secrecy, heightening fears of concealed mass casualties.
One woman recognized
her brother’s body from a viral video filmed inside Mwananyamala Hospital. He
had been shot while standing on his balcony. Her family searched every morgue
for days before discovering the footage online.
International Reactions and Human Rights Alarms
The revelations have
alarmed international human rights organizations. The UN Human Rights Office
reported receiving evidence that hundreds of civilians and protesters may have
been killed, with many more injured or detained. Although exact numbers remain
uncertain, the scale of violence is unlike anything Tanzania has seen in
decades.
CNN investigators,
including open-source analyst Benjamin Strick, analyzed dozens of videos
showing bodies with gunshot wounds and overwhelming evidence of excessive,
indiscriminate force by Tanzanian security forces — findings that align with
numerous witness testimonies.
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