Trending 
Some Tanzanians began to move about on Tuesday as restrictions, including a curfew and an internet blackout, were partially lifted following violence that the opposition claims resulted in hundreds of fatalities during the elections.
The country’s Electoral Commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the October 29 election, receiving 98 per cent of the votes. The opposition has described the election as a “sham.”
A total internet blackout that had been in place since protests erupted on election day has been slightly lifted, yet obtaining reliable information from the East African nation remains challenging.
On Monday, police announced the end of the curfew that had been in place on election day, and after a near-total halt in public transportation, some buses have resumed operations. Long queues formed outside gas stations as prices skyrocketed, with private tuk-tuks and motorbikes stepping in to address transportation shortages.
The internet began to return sporadically, with graphic images reportedly from the protests circulating on social media. However, these images could not be independently verified.
Authorities sent out a text message on Monday warning that anyone disseminating footage that could incite panic or cause shame online would face consequences.
A diplomatic source indicated that there were credible reports of hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths recorded in hospitals and clinics across Tanzania.
Chadema said that they had documented “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday, although none of these figures could be independently confirmed.
In her acceptance speech, Hassan expressed her sorrow over “incidents of violence that have led to loss of lives,” without providing further specifics. She also assured that security and defense forces would conduct an investigation.
The diplomatic source mentioned “concerning reports” that police had used the internet blackout to gain time while they tracked down opposition members and protesters who may possess videos depicting the atrocities of the previous week.
