The charge sheet lists 76 suspects accused of attempting to obstruct the October 29 election “for the purpose of intimidating” the authorities in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital.

In addition to treason, the suspects also face charges of criminal conspiracy. Tanzania continues to reel from violence following an election that international observers say fell short of being free and fair. Authorities are facing growing questions about the death toll after security forces sought to suppress riots and opposition protests across the East African nation.

The main opposition party, Chadema, has claimed that more than 1,000 people were killed and said on Tuesday that security forces were attempting to conceal the scale of the deaths by secretly disposing of the bodies.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, reportedly won more than 97% of the vote, according to the official tally. Her main rivals, Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, were barred from running in what rights groups described as a climate of repression. Amnesty International reported enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings — allegations the Tanzanian government denies.

The African Union said this week that its observers concluded the election “did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.” AU observers reported instances of ballot stuffing at several polling stations and cases where voters were issued multiple ballots. The statement added that the overall environment surrounding the election was “not conducive to the peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes.” (Jamaica Gleaner)