Suluhu Reaches Out to Ruto and Museveni as Post-Election Protests Escalate in Tanzania
Protests have continued to sweep across multiple towns and regions in Tanzania following the country’s General Election held on October 29.
As the unrest intensifies, reports from African Intelligence suggest that President Samia Suluhu Hassan reached out to her regional counterparts, Kenya’s President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, through separate phone calls on the evening of Wednesday, October 30.
The discussions are believed to have centered around the growing post-election crisis, which threatens to destabilize Tanzania and potentially unsettle the broader East African region.
Although the full details of the conversations have not yet been disclosed, sources close to the matter indicate that Suluhu might have been seeking diplomatic support and mediation from key members of the East African Community (EAC) to contain the unrest.
The reported phone calls came amid claims that President Suluhu’s government has maintained minimal contact with Western embassies since the elections.
Diplomatic sources say that no official communication has been made between Tanzania and Western missions, leaving foreign diplomats uncertain about the government’s next steps.
The protests erupted after the opposition and sections of the public accused the government of manipulating the electoral process and undermining democracy.
Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in police custody, while another prominent opposition figure was barred from contesting the election—moves that significantly increased Suluhu’s chances of retaining power.
Since Wednesday, violent confrontations have broken out in major towns, with police using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds. Residents in Mwanza reported hearing gunfire, while running battles between protesters and police were witnessed in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.
The commercial capital has been placed under tight security, with major roads sealed off as authorities try to contain the chaos.
Rising Death Toll and UN’s Response
Reports emerging from Tanzania paint a grim picture, with several sources indicating that dozens of people have lost their lives since the protests began.
However, opposition leaders claim the death toll could be much higher, with some suggesting that as many as 700 people may have been killed in the clashes.
Tragically, some Kenyans were also caught up in the violence. Authorities in Kenya confirmed that a number of Kenyan nationals were among those shot after the unrest spilled over into Namanga, a border town that connects both countries.
The United Nations, through its Human Rights Office, has expressed deep concern over the situation. UN spokesperson Seif Magango stated from Geneva that the organization is alarmed by reports indicating that at least 10 people have been killed by security forces during the election-related demonstrations.
“We are deeply troubled by the reports of deaths and injuries during the ongoing protests in Tanzania. The information we have received shows that at least 10 individuals have been killed, and many others injured,” Magango said, urging Tanzanian authorities to avoid excessive use of force, particularly the deployment of lethal weapons against civilians.
The UN also called for an impartial investigation into the killings and asked the government to respect the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Internet Shutdown and Media Crackdown
During the election period, the Tanzanian government reportedly imposed an extensive internet and communication blackout, particularly on election day.
This move restricted citizens from sharing information, silenced victims, and hindered documentation of alleged human rights abuses.
Several local and international journalists have since faced harassment, arbitrary arrests, and censorship for attempting to report on the protests and the political situation.
Media freedom groups have condemned these acts as a blatant attempt to suppress the truth and control the narrative surrounding the election outcome.
Among those detained is Kenyan journalist Shoka Juma, a reporter for Nyota TV, who was allegedly arrested near the Lunga Lunga border point while trying to monitor civilian movements along the Tanzanian-Kenyan frontier.
His arrest has drawn sharp criticism from media advocacy organizations in both Kenya and Tanzania, which are demanding his immediate release and calling for greater protection of journalists covering the unrest.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, international observers are closely monitoring Tanzania’s next steps. Many fear that if the violence persists and dialogue fails, the unrest could escalate into a broader regional crisis affecting trade, security, and stability across East Africa.
President Suluhu now faces immense pressure—both locally and internationally—to restore calm, engage with opposition leaders, and reassure citizens that democracy and human rights will be respected in the wake of the disputed election.
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