Tanzanian Police Warn Citizens Against Sharing Protest Images After Deadly Election Unrest

Police in Tanzania have cautioned citizens against sharing photos and videos online that could “cause panic,” following the restoration of internet access after violent post-election protests that left hundreds reportedly dead, according to the opposition

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, claims to have documented hundreds of deaths during the protests that erupted after two leading opposition presidential candidates were disqualified from last Wednesday’s election

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was sworn in on Monday after securing 98% of the vote, acknowledged some fatalities but dismissed the opposition’s figures as exaggerated

Legal Threats Over Online Posts

Shortly before the end of a five-day internet blackout on Monday, Tanzanian mobile users received a police text message warning that sharing “pictures or videos that cause panic or degrade a person’s dignity” constitutes a criminal offense. The message warned of strict legal action against violators

A police spokesperson declined to comment further on the directive

Reports of Civilian Deaths

Social media posts showed disturbing images of bodies allegedly shot during the protests, though Reuters could not verify their authenticity. A local sports consultancy, Viral Scout Management, reported that seven young soccer players aged 15 to 22 were killed during the unrest  claims that could not be independently confirmed

“We vehemently condemn the killings of civilians and players alike. No one deserves to have their dreams stolen in such a brutal manner,” the organization said

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Government Denies Excessive Force

By Tuesday, normalcy was gradually returning to Dar es Salaam, with fewer security patrols after the lifting of an election-day curfew. President Hassan, who took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, has faced mounting criticism over alleged human rights abuses, including arrests and abductions of opposition figures

CHADEMA was barred from the election for refusing to sign a code of conduct, while another major opposition candidate was disqualified. Hassan has maintained that her government upholds human rights, even ordering an investigation into alleged abductions last year  though no findings have been released

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an independent probe into claims of excessive force by Tanzanian security forces. The government insists that officers acted responsibly to contain violence and property destruction

Writer : Mweru Mbugua