• Approximately 700 people have been reported killed since the disputed election protests began in Tanzania.
• The government has imposed a military curfew and internet blackout as unrest spreads nationwide.
• Opposition parties claim electoral fraud due to the exclusion of key candidates, leading to widespread protests.

Tanzania is experiencing severe unrest following a disputed general election held on October 29, with reports emerging that around 700 people have been killed amid violent protests. The opposition party, Chadema, led by spokesman John Kitoka, claims that around 350 deaths occurred in Dar es Salaam alone, with another 200-plus in Mwanza and additional fatalities from other regions, highlighting that the death toll might be much higher due to nighttime violence during curfews, according to India Times, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

The protests erupted as citizens denounced what they perceived as a rigged election that saw the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, dominate. Key opposition candidates were either jailed or barred from participating in the elections, leading to accusations of electoral fraud. The unrest has prompted the government to enforce a curfew and an internet blackout, further compounding the situation as independent reporting is stifled, according to Al Jazeera, AfricaNews, and Le Monde.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos in major cities, including Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, where protesters clashed violently with security forces using live ammunition and tear gas. The military has been deployed to assist police in restoring order, and numerous vehicles and police stations have been set ablaze, as stated by local sources and human rights organizations that also condemned the crackdown on dissent, according to CBS News and India Times.

The government has responded to the criticisms by asserting that no excessive force has been employed, as stated by Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. However, international watchdogs like Amnesty International have reported at least 100 confirmed fatalities, and the UN has indicated at least 10 deaths amid the unrest, which has drawn attention from human rights advocates, according to South China Morning Post and CBS News.

With the political crisis escalating, academics believe President Hassan's desire for a decisive electoral victory could solidify her fragile position amid opposition challenges and discontent among the populace. The situation remains highly volatile, with opposition calls for transitioning to a government that can organize fair elections, according to AfricaNews, Al Jazeera, and India Times.