Dodoma, November 2: Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared on Saturday the landslide winner of a disputed election marred by violence, deadly protests, and the exclusion of key opposition leaders, cementing her grip on power in the East African nation.
The country’s electoral commission said Hassan secured more than 31.9 million votes, or 97.66% of the total, in Wednesday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, with turnout estimated at 87% of 37.6 million registered voters.
Protests erupted across several cities during and after the vote, as demonstrators denounced what they called a sham election following the barring of Hassan’s two main challengers. Witnesses said protesters tore down ruling party banners and set fire to government buildings, while police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, which was barred from the election for refusing to sign a code of conduct, claimed hundreds of people were killed during the unrest. The U.N. human rights office said it had received credible reports of at least 10 deaths in three cities, though Reuters could not independently verify the figures.
In a speech from the administrative capital Dodoma after being certified the winner, Hassan condemned the violence, calling the protesters’ actions “neither responsible nor patriotic.”
“When it comes to the security of Tanzania, there is no debate – we must use all available security avenues to ensure the country remains safe,” she said.
Authorities have since imposed a nationwide curfew, restricted internet access, and suspended several international flights, while operations at Dar es Salaam’s port, a key regional trade hub, were disrupted.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denied reports of excessive force, describing the unrest as “small pockets of incidents” caused by “criminal elements.” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement issued Friday, called for a “thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force” and expressed concern over the loss of life.
Hassan, 65, came to power in 2021 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. Initially lauded for relaxing restrictions on the opposition and media, she has faced growing criticism over arrests and alleged abductions of political opponents in recent months.
During the campaign, Hassan highlighted her administration’s achievements in infrastructure expansion, including new road and railway projects and increased power generation capacity. Despite her emphatic victory, critics said the election underscored Tanzania’s shrinking democratic space and heightened political repression.
