Protesters have taken to the streets in Tanzania for a third day, defying warnings from the country's army chief to end the unrest. Demonstrations have been taking place in major cities with young protesters denouncing Wednesday's election as unfair, as key opposition figures were excluded from contesting against President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
An internet shutdown remains in place, making it difficult to confirm reports of deaths, and the authorities have extended a curfew in a bid to quell the protests. The UN has called on the East African nation's security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force.
'We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania. Reports we have received indicate that at least 10 people were killed,' Reuters quoted the UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango as saying, citing 'credible sources'. Amnesty International in Kenya told the BBC that with communications down in neighboring Tanzania, the rights group was not able to confirm reports of deaths.
Tanzania's chief Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally, urged Muslims to perform Friday prayers at home amid fears of escalating violence. Meanwhile, the protesters continue to demand accountability and transparency, fueled by accusations of electoral fraud and suppression of opposition voices.
President Samia is expected to win the vote under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed the country since independence in 1961, but the atmosphere remains tense as the world watches closely.
An internet shutdown remains in place, making it difficult to confirm reports of deaths, and the authorities have extended a curfew in a bid to quell the protests. The UN has called on the East African nation's security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force.
'We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania. Reports we have received indicate that at least 10 people were killed,' Reuters quoted the UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango as saying, citing 'credible sources'. Amnesty International in Kenya told the BBC that with communications down in neighboring Tanzania, the rights group was not able to confirm reports of deaths.
Tanzania's chief Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally, urged Muslims to perform Friday prayers at home amid fears of escalating violence. Meanwhile, the protesters continue to demand accountability and transparency, fueled by accusations of electoral fraud and suppression of opposition voices.
President Samia is expected to win the vote under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed the country since independence in 1961, but the atmosphere remains tense as the world watches closely.
