• Tanzania has charged 98 people with treason for their roles in protests against a disputed election.
• Opposition party Chadema alleges over 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the unrest.
• The African Union reported significant electoral irregularities, including ballot stuffing.
• President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote amid criticism.
• The charges have intensified calls for political reconciliation from religious and civic leaders.

In a notable escalation of tensions following Tanzania's disputed October 29 election, prosecutors have charged 98 individuals with treason due to their alleged involvement in violent protests. These protests erupted amid claims from the main opposition party, Chadema, that security forces killed over 1,000 demonstrators, a figure the government has dismissed as exaggerated without providing an alternative death toll, according to Reuters and Africanews.

The court filings detail that at least 76 of the suspects are accused of attempting to obstruct the election in an effort to intimidate authorities in Dar es Salaam, with the possibility of facing additional criminal conspiracy charges. Specific charges were detailed against only one individual, who allegedly promoted the purchase of tear gas masks for protesters, as reported by Al Jazeera and Africanews.

The elections, which resulted in President Samia Suluhu Hassan winning nearly 98% of the vote, have drawn criticism from international observers who noted substantial irregularities. The African Union specifically highlighted issues such as ballot stuffing and a repressive atmosphere surrounding the electoral process, undermining democratic standards. These findings have been echoed by multiple sources, including Reuters and Africanews.

Furthermore, the situation has prompted religious leaders and civic groups to urge the Tanzanian government to pursue reconciliation with opposition parties in an effort to mitigate rising social unrest. Bishop Benson Bagonza expressed concern that the treason charges would exacerbate existing tensions, stating that the government should focus on healing rather than prosecution, highlighting the need for dialogue, according to Al Jazeera and Africanews.