In a dramatic escalation of unrest, major cities across Tanzania have erupted in protests following Wednesday’s presidential and parliamentary elections. Opposition supporters denounce the vote as a sham, accusing the government of undermining democracy and silencing dissenting voices.

From Dar es Salaam to Dodoma and Mwanza, demonstrators have taken to the streets in growing numbers. Videos and eyewitness accounts show hundreds of protesters barricading roads, setting tyres ablaze, and tearing down posters of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president.

Clashes have not been contained within the country. Reports indicate that hundreds of demonstrators crossed into neighboring Kenya, blocking traffic at the Namanga border town and lighting bonfires. Kenyan authorities confirmed that at least two individuals died while fleeing violent confrontations with Tanzanian police.

The protests are rooted in long-standing political tensions. The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, remains imprisoned on treason charges he denies, while another contender, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, was disqualified on legal technicalities. With opposition voices sidelined, President Samia faces minimal resistance, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the elections.

European Union lawmakers have labeled the vote a “fraud” that had been “unfolding for months.” Citizens’ frustrations were further inflamed when preliminary results showed Samia winning nearly 95% of the vote in Mbea province, with leads reported across other mainland constituencies and Zanzibar.

Polling day itself was far from peaceful. Opposition supporters clashed with police in multiple locations. Gunfire rang out in Mwanza, and heavy security measures have been imposed in Dar es Salaam, including roadblocks and a nighttime curfew. Reports from Muhimbili Hospital suggest an influx of injured individuals following violent confrontations.

Tanzanian police responded to demonstrations with tear gas and physical dispersal tactics. Meanwhile, the military, led by Gen. Jacob Mkunda, blamed “bad characters who wish ill for this country” for property damage and civilian injuries.

In response to the unrest, civil servants were ordered to work from home, and internet connectivity remains severely restricted, fueling fears that tensions could worsen. Activists have reportedly turned to alternative communication tools, such as the walkie-talkie app Zello, to coordinate protests.

Global observers are watching the situation closely. Amnesty International expressed deep concern over civilian casualties and limited access to information. The United States Embassy in Tanzania warned that major routes, including the road to Dar es Salaam’s international airport, remained blocked, highlighting the disruption to normal life and commerce.

The EU’s condemnation of the election underscores growing international scrutiny over Tanzania’s democratic process. Analysts argue that President Samia’s administration, which initially eased political repression following her 2021 ascension after the death of President John Magufuli, has since increasingly targeted critics through arrests and abductions.

Despite mounting unrest, Samia is widely expected to secure a second term, with her party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), historically dominant since independence. However, the public anger signals deep dissatisfaction with the political status quo. Fringe parties that were allowed to contest the elections have little popular support, further consolidating the ruling party’s advantage.

The situation remains fluid. Protests could intensify if government actions continue to restrict civil liberties, limit internet access, or fail to address public grievances. Analysts caution that ongoing unrest at urban centers, particularly Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, could escalate into broader instability if dialogue between authorities and citizens remains absent.