Election protesters defy army chief in third day of Tanzania unrest

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 neighbouring Tanzania the rights group was not able to confirm reports of deaths.Hospitals in the country are refusing to give information to journalists or human rights groups when asked about causalities.The government has sought to play down the scale of the violence.The electoral commission has announced results from more than half of the country’s total 100 constituencies, the state broadcaster, TBC, shows.A coronation not a contest – Tanzania’s first female president faces little oppositionWhy elections are a time of fear for albino TanzaniansHow Samia’s hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political angerPresident Samia is expected to win the vote under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed the country since independence in 1961.Official results are expected on Saturday.Tanzania’s chief Muslim cleric – Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally – has urged Muslims to perform Friday prayers at home amid fears of escalating violence.On Thursday, army chief Gen Jacob John Mkunda ordered the protesters off the streets, saying the military would work with other security agencies to contain the situation.”Some people went to the streets on 29 October and committed criminal acts.

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