The Catholic Church in Tanzania has condemned the recent killings of anti-government protesters, warning that peace cannot be achieved without justice as tensions deepen following the disputed general election.
Speaking during a funeral service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi called for national healing and restraint. “The punishment for protests is not to shoot and kill,” he said, urging authorities to uphold human life and accountability.
Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, claims that at least 2,000 people have been killed and hundreds more detained in the post-election violence. Many of those arrested face treason charges, including senior opposition figures.
READ ALSO: 76 charged with treason in Tanzania’s disputed election unrest
Among those recently freed on bond is Chadema’s deputy leader, John Heche, who was arrested before the polls over accusations of planning demonstrations. The treason case against party leader Tundu Lissu was postponed Monday after prosecutors’ witnesses failed to appear, citing security concerns.
Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi announced Sunday that the government plans to initiate dialogue to restore calm but did not specify who would take part. The opposition has rejected talks without a prior assurance of justice for victims of the crackdown.
Authorities say 76 individuals have been charged with treason and criminal conspiracy for allegedly plotting to disrupt the October 29 general election. Rights groups, however, describe the charges as politically motivated and accuse the government of silencing dissent.
International observers have also criticized the election process, saying it was marred by intimidation, censorship, and widespread voter suppression. Violent clashes broke out in several regions after results were announced, with opposition supporters accusing security forces of secretly disposing of bodies to conceal the true death toll.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli in 2021, was declared the winner with more than 97 percent of the vote, a result opposition parties have rejected as fraudulent.
More demonstrations are expected ahead of Tanzania’s Independence Day celebrations on December 9.
