At least 518 killed in violence that broke out during Tanzania elections, inquiry says

At least 518 people were killed in violence that broke out during Tanzania’s general election in 2020, a commission of inquiry has found. The commission, set up by the government, blamed demonstrators for the disturbances, infuriating the government’s opponents who accused it of bias. The report, which was handed to President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday, said 518 people were killed, 287 were injured and 56 were reported missing during and after the October 2020 election. The commission said the violence was sparked by some political parties and their supporters who refused to accept the results of the election. It accused them of inciting violence and using weapons against security forces and civilians. The report also said that some security forces used excessive force against protesters, leading to some of the deaths and injuries. The findings have been rejected by opposition parties, who say the commission was biased in favour of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. They accuse the government of using the report to justify a crackdown on dissent and to silence its critics. The 2020 election was marred by allegations of widespread rigging and violence. The then-president, John Magufuli, won the election with 84 per cent of the vote, but the opposition claimed the results were fraudulent. Mr Magufuli died in March 2021 and was succeeded by Ms Hassan, who has promised to bring reforms to the country.