- Pope Leo XIV has called for prayers for Tanzania, where violent protests erupted following the general elections
- Post-election unrest was triggered by accusations of election rigging, with opposition leaders being arrested or disqualified
- Pope Leo XIV used his Sunday sermon to advocate for peace, urging dialogue and a rejection of violence
Pope Leo XIV has called for prayers for Tanzania following the ongoing post-election violence.
Source: Twitter
Tanzania held its last general election on Wednesday, October 29, but the elections were marred by protests, which began on election day.
Why are Tanzanians protesting?
The main cause of the violence was broad anger and frustration over the claimed rigging of the election, such as the banning of leading opposition candidates and a general atmosphere of political repression.
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The main opposition parties, Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, had their leading presidential candidates either arrested (Tundu Lissu was charged with treason) or disqualified on legal technicalities, effectively leaving President Hassan with only minor party candidates as competition.
Protesters and opposition parties have cited numerous allegations of fraud, including pre-ticked ballots, the denial of access to polling stations for party agents, and an overall lack of transparency from the electoral commission.
As a result, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote.
Her controversial victory even fuelled the anger and unrest in the neighbouring country. Several people have reportedly died and been injured following the violence, but the Tanzanian government is yet to provide the exact data on those who died and were injured from the chaos.
Pope Leo’s message amid violence in Tanzania
The Pope used his Sunday sermon to call for peace in Tanzania and Sudan
“Let us also pray for Tanzania, where recent clashes have broken out, leaving many victims. I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and follow the path of dialogue,” Pope Leo said, as reported by Vatican News.
Pope Leo also appealed for peace in war-torn Sudan and condemned gruesome violence against civilians and calling for the removal of barriers to humanitarian aid.
“With great sorrow, I am following the tragic news coming from Sudan, particularly from the city of El Fasher in the afflicted northern Darfur region,” Pope Leo said during the Angelus address.
He decried the Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on unarmed civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian action, saying they are causing unacceptable suffering to a population already exhausted by long months of conflict.
Sudan is dealing with the biggest humanitarian and displacement crisis globally, impacting 14 million out of 51 million. Cholera and other deadly illnesses are increasing, with famine being widespread.
The pontiff invited the faithful to pray for victims and urged responsible parties to halt hostilities.
“Let us pray that the Lord may receive the deceased, sustain those who suffer, and touch the hearts of those responsible,” he said, and renewed “an urgent appeal to the parties involved for a ceasefire and the prompt opening of humanitarian corridors.”
Where was Samia Suluhu sworn in?
On Monday, November 3, President Suluhu was officially sworn in for a second term.
The inauguration took place at the national military parade grounds in Dodoma under tight security.
Source: Twitter
The ceremony was closed to the public, with attendance limited to government officials, diplomats, and military officers. It was broadcast live on the state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
Source: TUKO.co.ke
