More than 200 individuals have been charged with treason in Tanzania following days of protests related to the recent national election. The protests followed an October 29th poll that the electoral commission stated President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 percent of the vote. The opposition, which had been barred from participating, has publicly branded the election as a “sham.” Violent protests erupted across the East African country on election day. Opposition figures and security sources have indicated that the casualties may number in the hundreds, if not thousands, though authorities have yet to release any official toll for the d3ad or inju.red. The legal process began when hundreds of people appeared in court on Friday, November 7 in the economic hub, Dar es Salaam. Lawyer Peter Kibatala confirmed the mass arraignment. All of these ladies and gentlemen, numbering more than 250 in total, were arraigned in three separate cases and theyre all charged with two sets of offences, Kibatala stated. The first set of offences is a conspiracy to commit treason. And the second set of offences is treason itself.
Judicial sources confirmed knowing of at least 240 people charged.The internet shutdown that lasted for days following the election day has hampered the release of verified information regarding the violence. The opposition party, Chadema, asserts that at least 800 people were killed in the election violence. This estimate has been supported by diplomatic and security sources, who also added that there are credible reports suggesting the casualty numbers could potentially reach into the thousands. Tanzanian police announced late Friday that they are actively searching for several opposition party leaders in connection with the post-election violence.Police spokesperson David Misime released a statement confirming the search: Following our investigations and evidence we gathered, we are looking for these 10 people to arrest them. We call on them to surrender to the police immediately. The opposition figures sought include Secretary General John Mnyika, his deputy Amani Golugwa, and spokesperson Brenda Rupia. The post Tanzania charges over 200 with treason following Election protests appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
