Native Land Pod Protestors Killed in Tanzania, Warning for America | Angela Rye SoloPod
Nov 19, 2025
Elizabeth Odongo Yogo, a governance expert and election observer in East Africa, shares her firsthand experiences from the recent Tanzanian elections. She details shocking election irregularities, including empty polling stations and military presence at booths. As protests erupted, Elizabeth recounts the violence she witnessed, with civilians caught in the crossfire and her own life in danger. She emphasizes the broader implications for democracy, warning that Tanzania's unrest could serve as a cautionary tale for other nations, including the U.S.
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Observer Survives Militarized Election Day
- Elizabeth Odongo Yogo witnessed heavily militarized polling stations, sparse voter turnout, and gunfire while observing Tanzania's October 29 election.
- She described hotel evacuations, blocked communications, and being airlifted to Nairobi after seeing bodies on the streets.
Small Queues, Big Military Presence
- At one polling station Elizabeth counted only about 15 women in line while the army filled the venue and limited observers' access.
- Later that night gunshots surrounded her shelter and anonymous cartridges were found after shots were fired into her house.
Peace Can Mask Repression
- Elizabeth traveled to Tanzania because neighbors were avoiding the country and she wanted firsthand truth over media narratives.
- She found that Tanzania's peace had masked repression until citizens pushed back.