Canada, Norway and the United Kingdom have jointly condemned the Tanzanian government’s violent crackdown on post-election protests following a disputed vote that has triggered domestic unrest.
In a statement issued late Friday, Foreign Ministers Anita Anand (Canada), Espen Barth Eide (Norway) and Yvette Cooper (UK) expressed alarm over “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries” resulting from the security crackdown on demonstrations that erupted after the 29 October elections.
“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 said.
The elections, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote, were boycotted by opposition parties and marred by allegations of repression.
Protesters took to the streets in major cities to denounce the exclusion of key rivals and the reported intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors in the run-up to the vote.
Rights groups and opposition leaders have accused security forces of using excessive force, with the main opposition Chadema party claiming hundreds of deaths.
The UN human rights office has confirmed at least 10 fatalities in three cities, while internet shutdowns and media restrictions have made independent verification difficult.
The ministers called on Tanzania to uphold its international obligations and ensure that all citizens can “participate freely and safely in public life,” as concerns mount over democratic backsliding in one of East Africa’s most populous nations.
JN/APA