A crowd runs in panic along a dusty street. Shots ring out. A woman falls to the ground, pleading for help as blood spreads around her. This is a snippet of verified footage from Arusha, Tanzania, where police action aimed at suppressing protests turned lethal during last month's presidential and parliamentary elections.
The demonstrations began on October 29, 2025, fueled by young activists frustrated with a political landscape dominated by a single party since the 1960s. The protests, sparked in Dar es Salaam, spread across the nation, facing harsh backlash from police. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner, receiving 98% of the vote amid claims of suppression against opposition figures.
Reports from the UN human rights office indicated hundreds were allegedly killed in the violent repression, while the government imposed an internet blackout to quell movement footage. On November 4, when the blackout ended, videos emerged showcasing the horrific police brutality.
In Dar es Salaam, police blocked protest routes and deployed tear gas, with unverified footage capturing police firing into crowds. Incidents of casualties were reported, with a source estimating at least 500 deaths nationwide. The response from the global community, including calls from the UN for accountability and an investigation into the actions of the Tanzanian authorities, highlights the severity of the state's violence against its people.
BBC Verify has engaged in analyzing and geolocating footage to unravel the events and the impact on the protestors, showcasing a deepening frustration against the entrenched leadership as demonstrated by the vibrant youth movements emerging across the continent.
