UK, Canada, Norway fault security clampdown on protesters during Tanzania’s presidential poll

The UK, Canadian and Norwegian missions in Tanzania have expressed concern over “large number” of killings recorded during the country’s election of Wednesday as security operatives attacked protesters.

The trio expressed their concern  in a joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom on Friday.

The statement noted, “We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October.

“We urge the authorities as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression.”

The UK, Canadian and Norwegian missions noted “that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors.”

Earlier, Amnesty International’s report stated that “unopposed, unchecked, unjust “wave of terror” sweeps” through the country ahead of the elections, lamenting “deepening human rights crisis ahead of its October 2025 general elections.”

The human rights organisation said Tanzania’s “authorities have intensified the use of repressive laws to silence dissent, targeting journalists, civil society, human rights defenders, and opposition voices.”

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday declared President Samia Hassan winner of the controversial poll rocked by bloody protests.

The Tanzania’s electoral commission declared on Saturday said Mrs Hassan won the election with nearly 98% of the votes.

Since Wednesday, Tanzanians hit the streets in protests against the general election that featured Mrs Hassan but barred major opposition candidates.

The Chadema opposition party claimed that over 700 people were killed as police clash with protesters across the country.

Some Tanzanians on social media have reschristened Mrs Hassan “Idi Amin Mama” after a former Uganda dictator, Idi Amin Dada, as election violence spread.