The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a press release of concern about post-election violence in Tanzania and has called for an investigation into what went flawed within the country.
On 29 October, Tanzania held its presidential election which incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 per cent of the vote. Several opposition leaders were arrested prior to the vote on supposed national security grounds. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been accused of treason and was barred from standing within the elections.
Following the election violence broke out between police and protestors in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Tunduma. The full extent of the violence stays unknown, but what is thought is that the police used lethal force and plenty of people have died.
The WCC expressed “deep concern and sorrow” concerning the situation.
Dr Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the WCC, said, “Reports of widespread protests, excessive use of force by security agencies, and diverse civilian casualties are deeply distressing and call for urgent moral reflection and accountability.
“The WCC joins the Tanzanian churches and the broader ecumenical family in mourning the lives lost and condemning the usage of lethal force against residents exercising their legitimate rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
“The sanctity of human life — a present from God — have to be protected in any respect times, and no political process should ever justify the shedding of innocent blood.
“We are gravely troubled by reports indicating widespread repression, including mass arrests, intimidation, and restrictions on web access, which have further constrained civic space and silenced voices of dissent.”
Pillay said that the exclusion of key opposition figures and parties from the election undermined the credibility of the election.
“The WCC stands in solidarity with the people of Tanzania of their pursuit of peace, justice, and transparent governance. We affirm the role of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) and other faith-based organizations that proceed to call for restraint, dialogue, and reconciliation amid growing tensions,” he continued.
The WCC issued a call for dialogue as an alternative of violence, and for human rights to be protected. It all the time wants an investigation to be launched into the violence to carry those responsible to account.
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