Dar es Salaam has been the focal point of a joint appeal by the embassies of 16 countries, including Great Britain, Canada, and the European Union delegation, urging the Tanzanian government to release political prisoners and return the bodies of missing persons. The appeal emphasizes the need for the government to uphold its international commitments to protecting fundamental freedoms, including access to information and freedom of expression for all Tanzanians.
The call comes in the wake of the country’s general elections on October 29, which were won by incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The elections were followed by violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests. According to the joint statement, credible reports from domestic and international organizations have documented these human rights abuses, including the concealment of dead bodies.
The signatory governments are calling on the Tanzanian authorities to urgently release the bodies of the dead to their families and to free all political prisoners, allowing them access to legal and medical support. They also urge the government to address the recommendations made in the African Union and Southern African Development Community preliminary elections reports, which highlighted shortcomings in the electoral process.
The Tanzanian Episcopal Conference has also spoken out against the violence, with Secretary General Father Charles Kitima denouncing the actions of police and armed groups who stormed hospitals in Dar es Salaam, attempting to prevent medical care from being provided to wounded civilians. Father Kitima reported that doctors and nurses at Catholic hospitals refused to obey police orders and continued treating the victims without hindrance.
The incident is the latest in a series of concerns raised about the government’s handling of the post-election situation. The Secretary General of the TEC was brutally attacked in April, and there have been reports of intimidation and harassment of opposition leaders and activists. The international community is watching the situation closely, with the European Union and other countries calling for an independent, transparent, and inclusive inquiry into the electoral process and the subsequent violence.
The situation in Tanzania remains tense, with many calling for the government to take immediate action to address the human rights abuses and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The international community’s appeal for the release of political prisoners and the return of missing persons’ bodies is a significant step towards promoting accountability and upholding the fundamental freedoms of all Tanzanians.