Maseru, Nov.03 — The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for calm in the Republic of Tanzania following post-election violence that has sparked since Wednesday last week.

In a statement dated October 31, President Peter Mutharika, in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation said the regional bloc was “deeply concerned” by the ongoing situation in Tanzania that has also affected importation of commodities into Malawi.

He called for maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that could further escalate unrest.

He further appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasised the importance of prioritising the well-being of Tanzanians.

“SADC reaffirms its readiness to assist, through appropriate mechanisms, in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the current challenges,” he said.

Moreover, he stressed that the region’s shared goal remains the restoration of harmony, good governance, and sustainable development.

Meanwhile the Independent National Electoral Commission of Tanzania and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of Tanzania’s presidential election with 98 percent of the votes to secure another term.

The demonstrations which started last Wednesday are mostly led by young protesters, who have denounced the election as unfair. They accuse the government of undermining democracy by suppressing the main opposition leaders, one is in jail and another was excluded on technical grounds.

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