Description: After the deadly anti – government protests last week in Tanzania, which left more than 700 people dead and prompted the government to impose a media blackout, several opposition leaders were reported to have been released from prison. Four senior representatives of the oppositional Chadema party have been released from detention on bail, however, the leader of party, Tundu Lissu, who has been in prison since Apr, remained under detention. Protests erupted in Tanzania after suspected election fraud was conducted by the incumbent President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who claimed to have won the election with overwhelming support. After the violent protests unfolded, the government dispatched the military across the country and imposed curfews and media blackouts.
Impact: Tanzania fell under the purview of the Gen – Z led anti – government demonstrations which are encompassing countries across Africa which have long sitting governing establishments accused of abuse of power, economic decadence and hampered systemic progress. President Hassan with her actions, confirmed the position of the protesting population by violently subverting the protests which resulted in the deaths of more than 700 people. The release of some of the oppositional representatives pales in comparison to the actions undertaken by the country’s President and Tanzania’s military. The media blackout curtails coverage of the daily developments in the country, however, the authoritarian repression from the governing establishment is expected to continue as the oppositional camp is faced with death, kidnapping, forced disappearances and imprisonment. The crisis would continue in the foreseeable future with the government doubling down on repression of the oppositional political camp and the country’s Gen – Z population.