Tanzania treason charges have shaken the nation after days of unrest that followed the recent presidential election. More than 200 people have now been formally charged in court, marking one of the largest political crackdowns in the country’s recent history.
The unrest began after the October 29th national election, where the electoral commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with 98 percent of the vote. Opposition leaders, who were blocked from participating, quickly dismissed the outcome as a sham.
Violent protests erupted across several regions on election day. Reports from opposition figures and security officials suggest that the number of casualties could be in the hundreds or possibly thousands, although no official death toll has been released by authorities.
On Friday, November 7, hundreds of people were brought before the court in Dar es Salaam. Prominent defense lawyer Peter Kibatala confirmed the charges, stating that more than 250 people were arraigned in three separate cases.
“All of these ladies and gentlemen, numbering more than 250 in total, were arraigned in three different cases and they’re all charged with two offences,” Kibatala said. “The first charge is conspiracy to commit treason, and the second charge is treason itself.” Judicial sources later confirmed that at least 240 people had officially been charged.
The internet blackout that followed the election has made it difficult to verify many reports or determine the full extent of the violence.
The opposition party, Chadema, alleges that at least 800 people were killed in the election-related clashes. Diplomatic and security officials have echoed similar concerns, suggesting that the real figure could be far higher.
Human rights observers have also pointed to restricted media access and government control of information as reasons why the true scale of the violence remains unclear.
Late on Friday, the Tanzanian police announced that they are actively searching for ten opposition figures linked to the unrest.
Police spokesperson David Misime released a statement urging the individuals to surrender voluntarily. “Following our investigations and the evidence we gathered, we are looking for these ten people to arrest them. We call on them to surrender to the police immediately,” he said.
Those named include Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika, Deputy Secretary Amani Golugwa, and party spokesperson Brenda Rupia.
The situation in Tanzania remains tense as authorities continue investigations and opposition groups call for international attention. Civil rights advocates warn that the mass arrests and treason charges could further deepen the political divide and strain the country’s global image.
The unfolding crisis has drawn concern from regional observers and human rights organizations, who are urging for transparency and accountability. Many believe that how the Tanzanian government handles these treason cases will shape its democratic credibility in the years to come.
