by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Hundreds of Tanzanians gathered at St. Joseph Church in Dar es Salaam on Monday to pray for those killed by security forces during post-election unrest, with the country’s archbishop describing the situation as a blow to Tanzania’s dignity.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the October 29 election with 98 percent of the vote. However, the polls triggered widespread protests, which were violently suppressed by security forces, who are accused of killing hundreds of demonstrators. The government has yet to release an official death toll, and President Hassan has mostly praised the police while offering limited commentary on the killings.
Leading the service, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi condemned the brutality, saying, “Our country has lost its dignity because of what transpired during the week of the general election.” He added that protesters were “recklessly killed”, including individuals pursued and murdered inside their homes, calling such acts “a disgrace before God.”
Families of victims attended the service, though most refused to speak to the media, fearing reprisals. Some mourners shared personal tragedies, including a woman whose husband was shot while buying food for their children on election day; despite searching, she has yet to locate his body.
Opposition parties and human rights activists have accused security forces of indiscriminately shooting protesters and bystanders across the country. In addition, the government imposed an internet blackout and strict lockdowns, making independent verification of casualties and arrests difficult. Hundreds of individuals have been arrested and charged with treason, a crime punishable by death.
The unrest followed a spate of abductions targeting government critics, restrictions on opposition candidates, and alleged election irregularities. African Union observers reported that the vote “did not comply with standards for democratic elections”, citing ballot-stuffing and a lack of transparency.
Father Charles Kitima, secretary of Tanzania’s Catholic Bishops Conference, described the crackdown as evidence of a “totalitarian regime”, saying, “For the first time in our country, we are experiencing the mass killing of people protesting.”
The service at St. Joseph Church served as both a memorial for victims and a stark reminder of ongoing concerns about human rights and democratic freedoms in Tanzania.