Widespread violence has broken out in Tanzania following a disputed election. The main opposition party, Chadema, claims that at least 700 people have been killed in protests, while the United Nations reports that 10 people were killed by security forces.

According to a report by Al Jazeera on Friday (October 31), Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka told AFP that around 350 people were killed in Dar es Salaam and more than 200 in Mwanza. Including figures from other regions, the total death toll could reach around 700.

He said party members collected the data by visiting hospitals across the country. An AFP security source provided similar figures, though Al Jazeera could not independently verify the number. The Tanzanian government has yet to release any official death toll, only stating that its forces are restoring order after scattered incidents.

Meanwhile, UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango said in Geneva that credible sources confirmed at least 10 deaths caused by security forces. “We have urged the security forces not to use excessive or unnecessary force against protesters, particularly to refrain from using lethal weapons, and to make every effort to de-escalate the situation,” he said.

According to Al Jazeera, protests erupted in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday (October 29) after opposition parties were excluded from the election due to disputes over the voting process. Protesters expressed anger over limited choices and the harassment of opposition leaders.

The unrest led to vehicles, a petrol station, and several police stations being set on fire. On Friday, for the third consecutive day, protesters clashed with police, demanding that the national election commission suspend the announcement of results.