The European Parliament members have flagged Tanzania's elections as fraudulent, even as incumbent Samia Suluhu heads for a controversial landslide victory.
In a joint statement on Thursday, October 30, senior European Parliament members, including David McAllister, Mounir Satouri and Merja Kyllönen warned that the election was heavily compromised long before the polls began on Wednesday.
"As Tanzanians went to the polls, the international community watched with deep concern. What should have been a celebration of democracy, instead unfolded in an atmosphere of repression, intimidation and fear.
“These elections cannot be regarded as free and fair. The fraud did not begin at the ballot box - it has been unfolding for months."
In the statement, the MPs urged other countries to speak out, arguing that remaining silent was effectively endorsing the flawed elections.
They highlighted the recent detention of Tundu Lissu, who is widely considered to be President Samia Suluhu's biggest threat at the ballot, saying that his arrest on treason charges demonstrated a breakdown in democratic freedoms in the country.
The European lawmakers proceeded to demand the release of Lissu "immediately and unconditionally".
“No election can be credible when the main opposition is silenced, when freedom of assembly and expression are denied, and when independent media are intimidated," the statement went on.
With her rivals either jailed or disqualified, Suluhu was inevitably the sole main candidate in the 2025 elections, which have been marred by chaos and violence.
Post-Election Protests
On Wednesday, protests rocked major cities in Tanzania, with scenes of protesters destroying ballot boxes and engaging police in running battles dominating media coverage.
In a bid to quell tensions, Tanzania police evoked a 6pm curfew, but that did little to help the situation as protests spilt over to Thursday, October 30. Clips of the protest show irate civilians chanting words like "We want our country back".
Schools in Tanzania remain closed, while civil servants have been instructed to work from home until the situation is de-escalated.
Rights group Amnesty International also weighed in on the Turmoil in Tanzania, describing the situation as "deeply disturbing", warning that the risk of violence in Tanzania remained very high.
The United States, through the Tanzania embassy, has since issued an alert warning its citizens against visiting the country. Residents already within Tanzania's borders have been urged to maintain a low profile amid blackouts and internet shutdowns.
