Tanzanian police advise against photo sharing after fatal protests during the election
Tanzanian police have cautioned citizens against posting photographs online that could “cause panic.” Internet access has been restored following protests relating to the election, but a new tab has been opened in which the opposition claims hundreds of people were killed.
The protests that erupted during last Wednesday’s election over the disqualification of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s primary rivals have resulted in hundreds of deaths, according to the country’s main opposition party, CHADEMA.
Although Hassan recognized some individuals perished, her government has referred to the opposition’s death toll as greatly overstated. Hassan was sworn back into office on Monday after receiving 98% of the vote.
Social media users shared images and videos of the bodies of those they claimed had been shot during the protests. Reuters was unable to verify the pictures.
Threat of Legal Action Against Those Posting Pictures
Just before a five-day internet ban was lifted late Monday, Tanzanian cell phone customers received a text message from the police.
“Avoid sharing images or videos that incite fear or diminish someone’s dignity,” the statement reads. This is a criminal violation, and severe legal action will be taken if it is discovered.
A phone call and text message asking for comment were not answered by a police representative.
On its X account, Tanzanian sports management firm Viral Scout Management reported that seven of the young soccer players it represents, who ranged in age from 15 to 22, had been shot and died in their homes among the demonstrations.
“We strongly denounce the murders of both players and civilians. It stated that no one should have their dreams so cruelly taken away from them.
Their deaths could not be independently verified by Reuters.
Accusations of excessive force are denied by the government.
According to a Reuters witness, police dropped an overnight curfew that had been in place since election day, and life in the commercial city Dar es Salaam was getting back to normal on Tuesday with fewer soldiers and police on the streets.
Following a string of arrests and suspected kidnappings of opponents, Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, has been under fire from activists and opposition parties.
In April, CHADEMA’s leader was arrested and accused of treason, and the party was disqualified from the election for not signing a code of conduct.
Additionally, the presidential candidate from the second-largest opposition party was rejected by the electoral commission.
According to Hassan, her government upholds human rights, and it launched a probe into kidnapping accusations last year. No formal conclusions have been made public.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, demanded on Friday that claims of excessive force be looked thoroughly. According to the government, security officers behaved appropriately in preventing demonstrators from causing violence and vandalism.
