The Tanzanian government has charged 76 people for treason over their alleged roles in the protests that erupted after the East African country’s election.

The charge sheet, filed before the Magistrate Court of Dar Es Salaam on Friday, accused 76 people of committing treason, citing “Section 384 of the Penal Code Act, [CAP. 16 R.E. 2023].”

The 76 people were also charged with criminal conspiracy.

This comes four days after Samia Hassan, who assumed power in 2021 after the demise of former President John Magufuli, was sworn in as president for another five years in office.

Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission said Mrs Hassan won 98 per cent of the votes in the election marred by violent protests, internet shutdowns, and voter apathy, according to election observers.

The African Union Election Observation Mission reported that Tanzania’s election fell short of democratic standards, lamenting violence, voter apathy, and an internet shutdown.

Similarly, the European Union, the Southern African Development Committee Electoral Observation, and the UK, Canadian, and Norwegian missions in Tanzania have respectively condemned “a large number of fatalities,” internet shutdown, disqualification of opposition candidates, and brutal crackdown on protesters during the election.

The CHADEMA opposition party, whose candidate, Tundu Lissu, was barred from the election, said about 700 people were killed during the election, vowing not to recognise Mrs Hassan as president. Mr Lisu is also facing a treason trial by Mrs Hassan’s government.