Businessman and politician Jimi Wanjigi has condemned the violent crackdown on post-election protests in Tanzania, describing the East African nation as teetering on the edge of darkness.
In a post on X on November 7, Wanjigi cited reports from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) alleging that at least 3,000 people have been killed by security forces, with thousands more missing.
He framed the unrest as a betrayal of the democratic legacy of Tanzania's founding president, Julius Nyerere, urging regional leaders to reject what he called mimicked oppression.
Tanzania held general elections on October 29, 2025, amid controversy over the exclusion of key opposition figures from the presidential race.
Official results declared incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with 97.6% of the vote, a landslide that opposition party Chadema dismissed as fraudulent.
Chadema called for a boycott, labeling the process a "coronation" rather than a fair contest.
Protests erupted immediately in major cities like Dar es Salaam and Arusha, with demonstrators torching government buildings and clashing with police.
Authorities responded with curfews, internet blackouts, and military deployments, complicating casualty verification.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported over 1,000 deaths from lethal force and abuses, while a BBC diplomatic source confirmed at least 500 killings.
Chadema claimed up to 700 lives lost, including opposition leaders, with families searching for missing relatives amid allegations of secret body disposals.
Tanzanian officials have denied excessive violence, with President Hassan condemning the unrest during her November 3 inauguration and blaming "hooligans" for the chaos.
The government charged over 240 people with treason and conspiracy related to the protests, adjourning trials to November 19.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over deaths and injuries, calling for independent probes.
The African Union Commission voiced alarm at the unrest, while Amnesty International highlighted pre-election arrests and media curbs as factors fueling distrust.
Rights groups, including a coalition of African civil society organizations, have demanded President Hassan's resignation and prosecutions.