The Tanzanian government has formally charged 98 individuals with treason in connection with violent protests that erupted during last week’s general election, according to filings submitted to the Resident Magistrate Court in Dar es Salaam.
Court documents state that the accused “formed an intention to obstruct the 2025 General Election for the purpose of intimidating the Executive of the Republic of Tanzania.” Authorities allege that the group took part in activities that resulted in property damage and attempted to undermine the electoral process.
Among those charged is a businesswoman who prosecutors claim encouraged people to purchase teargas masks from her shop ahead of the demonstrations. No further individual allegations or detailed evidence against the remaining defendants were publicly disclosed during Tuesday’s court session.
The protests, which spread across several major cities, were fueled by widespread frustration following the disqualification of the two leading opposition contenders from the presidential ballot. One of them, CHADEMA party leader Tundu Lissu, was himself charged with treason in April, a move that his supporters described as politically motivated.
Human rights groups and CHADEMA officials have alleged that security forces used excessive force to contain the unrest, claiming that more than 1,000 people may have been killed. The government has dismissed those figures as exaggerated but has not provided an official casualty count.
The mass treason charges have sparked renewed concern among civil society organizations, who warn that political tensions in the country are deepening ahead of the next electoral cycle. International observers have called for transparency, impartial investigations, and steps to restore public trust in the electoral process.
The accused remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.
