“Situation is calming down”: Tanzanian Local Sources after Deadly Post-Election Protests

The main opposition party, Chadema, claims that more than 1,000 people were killed in the protests amid the announcement of the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Meanwhile, the heads of state of neighboring Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda were not present at the ceremony marking the beginning of Samia Suluhu Hassan's second term, which took place on Monday, November 3, at a military base in the administrative capital, Dodoma. 

Only the presidents of Zambia, Mozambique, and Somalia attended.

Local sources warn that while calm is returning to many parts of the country, deep divisions remain.

“Even if the situation returns to normal, a deep wound remains in the country, which is a shame, because Tanzania has made enormous economic and social progress in recent years,” the sources told Agenzia Fides.

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They added, “Tanzania may be suffering from the fact that politics and state structures have lagged behind economic and social progress, leading to dissatisfaction and frustration among the population, especially young people. This imbalance must be corrected.”

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has launched an urgent appeal for peace and humanitarian access in Tanzania, decrying escalating violence that has left civilians dead and aid blocked in parts of Africa.

The Holy Father expressed sadness over the deadly clashes in Tanzania, and encouraged Tanzanians “to avoid all forms of violence and to follow the path of dialogue.”

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.