Tanzanian police have lifted a night-time curfew imposed since last Wednesday in the main city Dar es Salaam following deadly election protests, as life slowly returns to normal across the country. Following the unrest, the internet was cut nationwide and most shops in Dar es Salaam closed amid acute shortages of basic essentials and soaring prices. Schools shut and public transport came to a halt.
On Tuesday, some shops reopened and traffic resumed, but queues persisted at some petrol stations in Dar es Salaam. Families continue to search for or bury relatives killed in the clashes between the security forces and opposition supporters who denounced the poll as a sham.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday after being declared the winner of last Wednesday's election with 98% of the vote. However, the election’s integrity has been heavily criticized, with observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reporting that it fell short of democratic standards. Opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina were unable to contest the poll—Lissu facing detention and Mpina's candidacy being rejected on technical grounds.
Reports of violent suppression of protests indicate that unrest led to numerous deaths, with estimates ranging as high as 800 by opposition figures. The government, however, has not officially released casualty figures. Activists and human rights organizations have condemned the government's use of lethal force against protesters.
As shops open and families continue to cope with loss, the situation in Tanzania remains precarious, revealing deepening political tensions under President Hassan, who previously promised to ease political repression.
On Tuesday, some shops reopened and traffic resumed, but queues persisted at some petrol stations in Dar es Salaam. Families continue to search for or bury relatives killed in the clashes between the security forces and opposition supporters who denounced the poll as a sham.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday after being declared the winner of last Wednesday's election with 98% of the vote. However, the election’s integrity has been heavily criticized, with observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reporting that it fell short of democratic standards. Opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina were unable to contest the poll—Lissu facing detention and Mpina's candidacy being rejected on technical grounds.
Reports of violent suppression of protests indicate that unrest led to numerous deaths, with estimates ranging as high as 800 by opposition figures. The government, however, has not officially released casualty figures. Activists and human rights organizations have condemned the government's use of lethal force against protesters.
As shops open and families continue to cope with loss, the situation in Tanzania remains precarious, revealing deepening political tensions under President Hassan, who previously promised to ease political repression.
