Prosecutors in Tanzania have charged 98 people with treason over their alleged roles in violent protests that erupted during last week’s general election, according to court filings.
Prosecutors in Tanzania have charged 98 people with treason over their alleged roles in violent protests that erupted during last week’s general election, according to court filings.
The unrest, which the opposition party CHADEMA and human rights groups say left more than 1,000 people dead, has plunged the country into one of its most serious political crises in years, according to Reuters. Government officials have dismissed those figures as exaggerated but have not provided their own casualty count.
The charges mark the first formal prosecutions linked to the post-election violence. Religious and civil society leaders have urged President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration to seek reconciliation rather than deepen divisions through punitive measures.
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According to filings in the Resident Magistrate Court of Dar es Salaam, the accused “formed an intention to obstruct the 2025 general election for the purpose of intimidating the Executive of the Republic of Tanzania” and allegedly caused damage to government property.
Observers question election credibility
The National Electoral Commission declared President Hassan the winner with nearly 98% of the vote, and she was sworn in on Monday. However, African Union observers said the election was not credible, citing reports of ballot box stuffing and voter intimidation.
The government has rejected those allegations, insisting the vote was free and fair. Meanwhile, calls for dialogue between the ruling party and opposition have grown louder as tensions continue to simmer nationwide.
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Meanwhile, Tanzania’s fragile economy suffered a staggering $238 million (TSh560 billion) loss following a week-long internet outage that paralysed digital activity between 29 October and 3 November 2025, according to data from the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST).
