Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan emerged as the clear victor in an election marked by violent demonstrations following the exclusion of her primary rivals. The country’s electoral commission announced that Hassan secured over 31.9 million votes, representing 97.66% of the total votes cast, securing her a five-year term.
Violent protests erupted during the presidential and parliamentary elections, with protesters vandalizing banners of President Hassan and setting government buildings ablaze. The unrest led to clashes with police, resulting in tear gas being deployed and gunshots fired, as reported by witnesses. Demonstrators expressed outrage over the exclusion of Hassan’s top challengers by the electoral commission and alleged widespread arrests and abductions of opposition figures.
In response to the protests, President Hassan, speaking from the capital Dodoma after her victory was certified, condemned the actions of the demonstrators as irresponsible and unpatriotic. She emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the nation’s security using all available means.
The main opposition party in Tanzania, Chadema, which was disqualified from the election for refusing to adhere to a code of conduct and witnessed its leader’s arrest for treason earlier in the year, claimed that hundreds of people had lost their lives during the protests. The United Nations human rights office reported that at least 10 individuals had been killed in various cities, although the government disputed the opposition’s death toll as exaggerated.
Following the unrest, the government imposed a nationwide curfew and limited internet access. Flight cancellations and disruptions at Dar es Salaam’s port have impacted fuel imports and exports of metals in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a thorough investigation into allegations of excessive force, expressing sorrow over the loss of life.
The voter turnout, reaching nearly 87% of the registered 37.6 million voters, raised concerns among critics of the government. Some observers noted disruptions at polling stations during the election day, possibly due to the protests. President Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli in 2021, has faced criticism over reported arrests and abductions of opposition figures, despite initial praise for easing government restrictions.
Throughout her campaign, President Hassan highlighted achievements in infrastructure development, such as expanding transportation networks and enhancing power generation capacity. The incumbent leader previously vowed to investigate reports of abductions but has not disclosed any official findings to date.