- CHADEMA disclosed the alleged number of protesters who were killed during and after the violent general election
- A Tanzanian human rights activist discussed the main challenge facing the opposition in an interview with TUKO.co.ke
- He explained why President Samia Suluhu and the opposition leader should reconcile to de-escalate the rising turmoil
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Tanzanian human rights activist Charles Odero has called on President Samia Suluhu and opposition leader Tundu Lissu to engage in peaceful dialogue following deadly post-election unrest.
Source: Facebook
His appeal comes amid claims by the opposition party CHADEMA that over 2,000 people were killed during violent anti-government protests that erupted on Wednesday, October 29, both before and after the disputed general election.
“We’re establishing and finding that more people died in different regions. So far, we have documented 2,000 dead people, including more than 100 from CHADEMA,” CHADEMA’s director of communications Brenda Rupia told CNN.
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Did Tanzanian police dispose of bodies of protesters?
Speaking exclusively with TUKO.co.ke, activist Odero cautioned that the figures remain speculative, as the government has not released official data confirming the death toll.
“The numbers are a speculation. There is no official data from the government affirming how many people died in the protests. Only CHADEMA and the Tanganyika Law Society are actively collecting data,” he said.
CHADEMA also accused police of disposing of hundreds of bodies of demonstrators allegedly killed in the nationwide crackdown.
The protests broke out across the country as citizens expressed outrage over the exclusion of key opposition figures in the parliamentary and presidential elections, in which Suluhu won by a landslide.
In response, authorities imposed a curfew, shut down internet access, and deployed security forces to disperse demonstrators.
Odero expressed concern over the shrinking opposition leadership due to escalating tensions, noting that CHADEMA’s chairman and vice chairman are in police custody, while others have defected to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
“Opposition leaders are few at the moment. Chairman Tundu Lissu is facing treason charges, and his deputy, John Heche, is currently facing terrorism charges. Two other leaders decamped to CCM,” he said.
Why should Suluhu and Lissu shake hands?
He urged Suluhu and Lissu to put aside political differences and meet for the sake of national unity.
Source: Twitter
He explained that given the current situation, only a peaceful dialogue will pave the way for transformation.
“We expect Samia and Lissu to shake hands. I have always stood for dialogue. I believe in peaceful negotiations because that is the only way we will move forward. With dialogue, there will be transformation. If they don’t act, the country will burn. Let us pray and believe that light lies ahead,” he added.
Despite his pleas, Odero noted that ‘Lissu is not a soft politician and doesn’t easily extend greetings.’
“The current situation will force them to do it. Whether they like it or not, it’s the only way forward,” Odero stated.
Is body of Kenyan teacher killed in Tanzania missing?
Meanwhile, reports emerged that the bodies of several demonstrators were missing, including that of Kenyan teacher John Okoth, who had lived and worked in Tanzania for eight years.
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Samia Suluhu warns violence inciters, says some protesters came from neighbouring countries
Okoth, a teacher at Sky Schools, was killed during clashes in the Gaba area of Ubungo, Dar es Salaam.
His family has appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and help repatriate his body.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
