Tanzania Charges Over 200 With Treason After Deadly Election Violence

West Africa WeeklyNovember 10, 20253 Mins read13

Tanzanian authorities have charged more than 200 people with treason following a wave of deadly unrest that erupted after last month’s disputed general election, which returned President Samia Suluhu Hassan to power with 98 per cent of the vote.

The defendants, appearing before a Dar es Salaam court on Friday, were accused of conspiring to obstruct the electoral process and inciting demonstrations that turned violent across the country. According to court documents seen by Reuters, prosecutors allege that the accused “intended to intimidate the executive arm of the Republic of Tanzania and disrupt the peace.”

If convicted, they face the death penalty, although executions have not been carried out in Tanzania since the 1990s. In most cases, such sentences are commuted to life imprisonment.

Hundreds Reported Dead

The charges come amid mounting international concern over the government’s handling of the October 29 election and its aftermath. Opposition groups and rights organisations claim that hundreds, possibly up to 700 people, were killed in clashes with security forces.

Witnesses reported that soldiers and police opened fire on demonstrators in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha after protests broke out over alleged vote-rigging and the exclusion of key opposition candidates. Municipal workers were later seen collecting bodies under police supervision, according to hospital sources cited by the Associated Press.

The government has downplayed the violence, insisting that only “isolated incidents” occurred and that the election was conducted freely and fairly. Independent verification has been impossible due to a nationwide internet blackout that began on election day and extended for several days.

Opposition Silenced

President Samia’s landslide victory has been widely questioned by observers from the African Union and civil society groups, who said the polls fell far short of democratic standards. Most leading opposition figures, including CHADEMA’s Tundu Lissu and ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina, were either jailed or barred from participating in the election.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said that those facing treason charges “were not political prisoners but individuals who sought to destabilise the nation.” Among the accused is businesswoman Jenifer Jovin, who allegedly encouraged protesters to purchase gas masks to protect themselves from tear gas, and several popular social media influencers are accused of spreading “anti-state propaganda.”

The court did not request any of the accused to enter pleas. Proceedings were adjourned until November 19.

Kenyan Nationals Targeted

The violence has strained relations with neighbouring Kenya, after reports that Kenyan nationals were targeted during the crackdown. At least one Kenyan teacher was reportedly shot dead in Dar es Salaam, while others have been detained or have gone missing.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said he has spoken with his Tanzanian counterpart, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, urging assurances for the “safety and dignity” of Kenyans living in Tanzania. Nairobi estimates that around 250,000 Kenyans reside or work in the country, many in private schools and small businesses.

Mounting International Pressure

Rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the killings and detentions. Amnesty International described the treason charges as “a political weapon to silence dissent,” while Human Rights Watch urged Tanzania to release peaceful protesters and allow journalists to operate freely.

“The government’s message is clear: any challenge to authority will be met with overwhelming force,” said an Amnesty spokesperson in Nairobi.

President Samia, who was initially praised for easing repression after taking office in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli, now faces accusations of backsliding into authoritarianism. Her decision to hold the inauguration in a restricted military parade in Dodoma, instead of an open public ceremony, has further fueled criticism of her leadership.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The unrest has cast a long shadow over Tanzania’s image as one of East Africa’s most stable democracies. The treason trials, which could last months, have deepened fears that political dissent is being criminalised.

Regional analysts warn that the fallout could strain economic and diplomatic ties across the East African Community, particularly with Kenya and Uganda.

President Samia’s government is fighting to maintain control, but the methods being used risk isolating Tanzania, said Dr. James Nambua, a political scientist at the University of Nairobi. If this trajectory continues, it may undo years of regional cooperation and investor confidence.

For now, the streets of Dar es Salaam remain under heavy military patrol, with sporadic reports of arrests and curfews in parts of the city. Families of detainees say they have been denied access to their relatives, while rights groups continue to call for transparency.

As Tanzania braces for the next hearing on November 19, the world watches closely, waiting to see whether justice or repression will define the next chapter of the country’s fragile democracy.