Prosecutors in Tanzania have charged dozens of individuals with treason following violent protests that erupted during the country's disputed presidential and parliamentary elections on October 29.
At least 145 people face treason accusations for their alleged involvement in the unrest, according to court filings in Dar es Salaam.
The charges also include criminal conspiracy, with one businesswoman specifically accused of encouraging protesters to purchase tear-gas masks from her business.
The demonstrations stemmed from widespread anger over the exclusion of the two leading opposition candidates, including Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, who remains imprisoned on prior treason charges.
The African Union observers declared the vote not credible, citing ballot stuffing, an internet blackout, excessive military force and politically motivated abductions.
Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured nearly 98 percent of the vote and was sworn in on Monday.
The main opposition Chadema party and human rights activists claim security forces killed more than 1,000 people during the crackdown.
The government has rejected these figures as exaggerated but has not provided its own death toll.
The unrest left streets littered with bodies in regions like northern Mwanza, where Chadema secretary Amos Ntobi described scenes of daylight shootings and severe injuries.
Human rights groups, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre, condemned the excessive use of force against unarmed demonstrators, including reprisal killings in homes.
Their joint statement highlighted traumatized families and children witnessing violence against parents, with hundreds detained and the full extent of abuses yet to be uncovered.
The filings state that the accused intended to obstruct the election to intimidate the executive and damage government properties.
None of the charged individuals appear to be public figures, and reports indicate they may lack legal representation.
Religious leaders have called for reconciliation with opponents and protesters in the election's aftermath.
Benson Bagonza, a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, warned that the charges would deepen acrimony.
"The only option for the government to keep at least the relative peace now is … to grieve with the people instead of arresting and taking people to court," he said.
The government's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Since assuming office in 2021 after John Magufuli's death, President Hassan's administration has faced growing criticism from watchdogs over alleged forced disappearances and torture of critics.
These developments underscore deepening divisions in Tanzania's political landscape.