‘Oh my God, this is our Tanzania’: CNN investigation shows police fatally shooting protesters, signs of mass graves

‘Oh my God, this is our Tanzania’: CNN investigation shows police fatally shooting protesters, signs of mass graves

A recent CNN investigation has brought renewed global attention to Tanzania following a series of alarming incidents that unfolded after the country’s disputed presidential election last month. Verified videos, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts reviewed by CNN suggest that security forces fired at groups of protesters during the unrest, raising serious human rights concerns.

      Tension After a Controversial Election

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the October 29 election with 98% of the vote, after key opposition candidates were barred from According to AOL The announcement sparked immediate demonstrations across parts of the country, with many citizens contesting the legitimacy of the polls.

Authorities responded by imposing a curfew and restricting internet access. Although connectivity was partially restored a week later, police warned against sharing images and videos that could “cause panic.”

Government officials initially denied any fatalities. However, President Hassan later acknowledged that casualties had occurred, without providing specific numbers. Her administration has since formed a commission to investigate the unrest. CNN reports indicate that the government did not respond to requests for comment.

   Videos and Satellite Images Indicate Severe Crackdowns

According to CNN, working with open-source investigator Benjamin Strick, analyzed numerous videos showing injured civilians and overcrowded morgues in cities such as Mwanza and Dar es Salaam. Some videos appeared to show bodies placed on the floors of hospital morgues due to a lack of space—claims that the Ministry of Health has publicly denied.

Witnesses told CNN that some victims were young men who sustained gunshot wounds during the protests. Medical personnel, who spoke anonymously due to safety concerns, reported receiving large numbers of injured people over several days.

Additionally, satellite images showed areas of recently disturbed soil at Kondo cemetery, which some human rights groups and witnesses believe may be used for mass burials connected to the recent unrest. These reports remain unconfirmed by the government.

       Families Searching for Loved Ones

Several families have reported difficulties locating missing relatives. One woman told CNN she recognized her brother in a video allegedly taken at a Dar es Salaam morgue, after searching extensively for him since early November. She stated that he had been killed while standing on the balcony of his home during protests.

      Footage of Fatal Encounters in Arusha

CNN also analyzed a series of incidents in Arusha where police confronted groups of protesters. In one case, a woman who was three months pregnant and a young man were fatally shot while running away. Audio forensics conducted by Montana State University professor Rob Maher helped verify the distance between the firearm and the camera capturing the incident, further supporting the footage’s authenticity.

Witnesses told CNN that these events occurred shortly after polls opened and continued for several days. The videos show groups of protesters—some holding stones or sticks—fleeing as gunshots are heard in the background.

       International Response

The United Nations Human Rights Office reports that, based on information from multiple sources, hundreds of civilians may have been killed, injured, or detained during the post-election crackdown. The UN has urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation.

          A Nation at a Crossroads

For decades, Tanzania has been regarded as one of East Africa’s most stable nations and a major tourism hub. The recent unrest has raised concerns both domestically and internationally about the country’s democratic trajectory and its commitment to safeguarding civil rights.

READ MORE ON HOW: Kenyan Activists Missing in Uganda Found Safe After Five Weeks 

As President Hassan’s investigative commission begins its work, observers around the world await further clarity on the events that have shaken the nation. The situation underscores the importance of transparent governance, peaceful political participation, and the protection of fundamental human rights.