As protests erupt and the government enforces curfews following Tanzania’s contested elections, global observers and rights groups are voicing alarm over the country’s shrinking democratic space and rising tensions.
TANZANIA, Oct’ 30, 2025- The fallout from Tanzania’s disputed elections has drawn sharp criticism and concern from regional and international bodies, as violent clashes, internet shutdowns, and curfews raise questions about the credibility of the vote and the country’s democratic trajectory.
In major cities including Dar es Salaam, Iringa, Moshi, and Mbeya, sporadic protests erupted following the poll. The government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew and ordered a nationwide internet blackout, measures rights groups say are designed to stifle dissent.
While President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ruling CCM party is poised to retain power, opposition supporters — particularly from the CHADEMA movement — have boycotted the elections, dismissing them as a “one-sided contest.”
“What we have seen is not an election but an endorsement exercise,” said CHADEMA spokesperson John Mnyika. “Tanzanians are being denied their democratic voice.”
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which deployed an observer mission, called on all parties to maintain peace and adhere to democratic principles.
“SADC reaffirms its unwavering support for the United Republic of Tanzania and urges leaders to respect the will of the people,” the mission said in a statement from Gaborone.
However, Human Rights Watch and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) offered a more critical assessment, citing reports of repression, restricted campaigning, and harassment of opposition leaders.
“The deepening repression threatens any hope for free and fair elections,” said HRW’s Africa director, warning that authoritarian trends could spread across the region if unchecked.
Digital rights groups including the Net Rights Coalition condemned the internet shutdown, urging authorities to restore access immediately.
“Cutting communication at such a crucial time undermines transparency and accountability,” the groups said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam issued a security advisory to its citizens as tensions flared, warning of “potential for unrest and limited mobility” amid the curfew and protests.
Observers say the mixed reactions highlight a widening divide between regional diplomacy and global rights advocacy, reflecting Africa’s ongoing struggle to balance stability with democratic reform.
“What happens in Tanzania matters far beyond its borders,” said a governance analyst in Nairobi. “It’s a test case for how much democratic space African leaders are willing to allow — and how much the world is willing to tolerate.”
As Tanzanians await official results under heavy security, the country finds itself at a crossroads: whether to reclaim its reputation as a stable democracy or cement a path where power, not participation, defines the political future.
