The foreign ministers of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over the situation in Tanzania following the national elections held on October 28 and 29.
In a joint statement, the ministers said there were “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries” resulting from the security response to protests that began on October 29.
The three governments urged Tanzanian authorities to exercise restraint and respect fundamental freedoms.
“We urge the authorities – as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression,” the statement read.
They also voiced worry over the conduct of the electoral period, noting that “the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors.”
The statement called on the Tanzanian government to honour its obligations under international law.
“We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life,” the ministers said.
The three countries emphasised their continued interest in seeing Tanzania maintain peace, democracy, and respect for human rights.
The elections have been marred by widespread unrest, with reports of clashes between protesters and security forces in several regions.
International observers and human rights organisations have urged transparency and accountability in the handling of post-election grievances.
On October 31, the United Nations also voiced concern over the escalating violence and human rights violations in Tanzania following the country’s disputed October 28 elections, which have sparked nationwide protests now entering their third day.
In a statement issued from Geneva and Nairobi, spokespersons for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani and Seif Magango, said the organisation was “alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania.”
The UN said it had received credible reports indicating that at least 10 people were killed in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro as security forces used firearms and teargas to disperse demonstrators.
The violence, according to the UN, has been accompanied by the imposition of a nationwide curfew and what appears to be a wide restriction of internet access since election day, without any official explanation.
The protests erupted after the October 28 general election to elect the President and members of the National Assembly, which many Tanzanians claim was marred by irregularities and the disqualification of key opposition figures.
What began as scattered demonstrations over the credibility of the vote quickly grew into violent unrest that spread across several regions, prompting security forces to crack down.
“We call on the security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions,” the UN said.
“Protesters should demonstrate peacefully.”
