Associated Press
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) — Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Tanzania's commercial capital on Friday, demanding that the national election body stop announcing election results that have led to protests, army deployments and a blackout of internet access.
State television broadcast Wednesday's voting results on the mainland. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party, which has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, sought to restore its government.
Presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties were unable to run, and incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan faced 16 other candidates from smaller parties who did little campaigning.
The JCC retained the presidency of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago, which remained calm despite a strong military presence. Ferry services, suspended for the past two days, are expected to resume on Friday.
The Zanzibar Electoral Commission said on Thursday that acting President Hussein Mwinyi received 78.8% of the vote.
The opposition condemned the “massive fraud” of the archipelago's vote and said it would announce what action it would take.
Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the country's commercial capital Dar es Salaam on a third day of protests on Friday.
Chaos erupted on Wednesday afternoon as young people took to the streets to protest the persecution of opposition leaders and their limited voting power. Protesters set fire to several cars, a gas station and police stations.
The government has not commented on the extent of the damage or possible casualties. Amnesty International said two people were killed during Wednesday's demonstrations.
Protests spread across the country and the government delayed the reopening of schools and universities scheduled for next Monday.
Army chief General Jacob John Mkunda condemned the violence and said on Thursday they would work with other security agencies to control the situation.
Tanzanians in the diaspora are holding daily X Spaces—live conversations on the X platform—to discuss the protests and ways to financially support the protesters.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor using a generative artificial intelligence tool.
