The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been urged to conduct investigations into the deaths of protesters during the Tanzanian elections.
In a statement released by the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) on Sunday, November 2, the global court was challenged to investigate the Tanzanian government amid reports that Kenyans are among the dead in the violence.
The main opposition party in Tanzania appealed to the international community and called on the United Nations to intervene, as footage from Tanzania revealed images of dead bodies scattered across the streets, with reports suggesting that the death toll could be in the hundreds.
The two global bodies were further urged to take the appropriate action after President Samia Suluhu was declared the winner of the polls by the Tanzanian electoral commission.
“Following the large number of deaths and the many civilians with life-threatening injuries in different parts of the country, as per the information we have received so far,” Chadema noted.
“We advise and appeal to the International Community, especially the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to urgently conduct an independent investigation into these killings committed by the government of Tanzania against its citizens and to take appropriate action,” it added.
Since Wednesday, October 29, protests and violence have marred the Tanzanian elections, with Suluhu accused of suppressing her political opponents and undermining the nation’s democratic values.
Critics have highlighted the imprisonment of the main opposition candidate and CHADEMA party leader, Tundu Lissu, and Luhaga Mpina from ACT-Wazalendo, who were both barred from running for the seat.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed protesters on the streets of Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Tunduma, Tanga, and Mwanza, among other towns. In some of the clips, the protests were violent, as protesters engaged police in running battles.
The protesters were also seen burning mattresses and blocking roads, with a video also showing a police officer being physically assaulted by protesters.
In response to the protests, the Tanzanian government announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Dar es Salaam, with city Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila warning that authorities would not take lightly any attempts to disrupt the election process.
Despite the widespread protests, condemnation of the violence by the international community, and accusations of election malpractices, Suluhu was announced as the winner, capturing 98 per cent of the vote and receiving over 31 million votes in a landslide victory.
In the wake of the protests, shortages of fuel, food, and money have hit Tanzania, with foreign nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom issuing travel advisories warning against travel to the East African nation.
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