Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan emerged victorious in a landslide victory following an election that sparked violent protests throughout the country due to the exclusion of her main rivals. The electoral commission announced that Hassan secured over 31.9 million votes, representing 97.66% of the total ballots cast, securing her a five-year term.
Disorder broke out during the election as protesters expressed their discontent over the disqualification of Hassan’s prominent opponents, leading to incidents of vandalism and clashes with security forces. The demonstrations were fueled by allegations of widespread arrests and disappearances of dissenting voices, as highlighted by human rights organizations.
In response to the unrest, President Hassan condemned the actions of the protesters, emphasizing the importance of national security and the need to maintain order using all available means.
The main opposition party, Chadema, which was excluded from the election for failing to comply with a code of conduct and witnessed its leader arrested earlier, claimed that hundreds of individuals lost their lives during the protests. The United Nations reported at least 10 confirmed fatalities in various cities, although the government dismissed the opposition’s higher casualty figures as exaggerated.
Following the turmoil, the government imposed a nationwide curfew and internet restrictions while disrupting international flights and port operations in Dar es Salaam. The Secretary-General of the UN called for a thorough investigation into alleged excessive force used by security forces and expressed sorrow over the loss of life.
Despite the high voter turnout reported by the electoral commission, critics raised concerns given the stark contrast to the previous election. President Hassan, who initially garnered praise for promoting a more open government, has faced backlash over recent arrests and alleged abductions of political adversaries. Despite her achievements in infrastructure development and energy expansion, she continues to face scrutiny from opposition groups and activists.
