Tanzanian protestors accused of plotting coup

Tanzanian authorities have designated planned Independence Day protests as an attempted coup, according to Africa News via Reuters on December 9th.

Activists and opponents of the government have been urged to stay home ahead of protests against the October 29th election result, which is planned to coincide with the annual December 9th Independence Day.

At a December 8th media briefing in Dar es Salaam, Home Affairs Minister George Simbachawene said that “Those protests are not permitted and are unlawful … that is not a protest, that is a coup.”

The election was won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who barred opposition candidates from standing and banned foreign journalists from reporting the events.

In the run-up to the election, Hassan’s government was accused of silencing opponents through arrests, detentions and disappearances.

At least 700 people were killed when authorities cracked down on protests related to the election, while over 200 others were arrested and charged with treason.

Citizens were also subjected to a six-day internet blackout following the election, with access only being partially restored on November 3rd. As access was restored, mobile phone users received a notification warning that sharing images or videos that may cause panic could result in “treason charges.”

Members of the opposition Chadema party have been detained on charges of treason, including the party’s deputy leader, John Heche, who was arrested prior to the election, which his party has described as a “sham.”

Hassan was sworn into office on November 3rd, after achieving 98% of the vote. During a televised address on November 17th, Hassan appointed her daughter and son-in-law to key cabinet positions.

Hassan’s planned cabinet reshuffle means that her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, will serve as Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Education, while Amier’s husband and Hassan’s son-in-law, Mohamed Mchengerwa, will serve as the nation’s Minister of Health.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been urged to investigate the post-election violence, with civil society groups submitting an 82-page petition.

Lawyers representing victims allege that Hassan was complicit in the violence due to her role as commander-in-chief; they argue that the violence occurred under her watch. 

A document was produced detailing accusations of state-sponsored murder, torture, forced disappearance, sexual violence and the mass displacement of civilians.

Africa News via Reuters, Maghrebi.org