The Tanzanian government has for the first time released an official death toll from the protests that erupted after the presidential and parliamentary elections on October 29 last year. According to the government, at least 518 people were killed, of whom 490 were men. The government's own investigation dismissed allegations of mass graves, stating that such claims could not be substantiated.
However, the opposition has disputed the figure, saying that between 1,000 and 2,000 people are feared dead. The protests were sparked by growing repression and demands for free elections and a fair challenger.