Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a sweeping election victory, with official results released Saturday showing she won 97.66 percent of the vote.
The National Electoral Commission announced the results on state television, confirming that Hassan dominated every constituency in the country. A swift swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for later in the day.
The election, however, was marred by widespread violence, opposition crackdowns, and reports of mass killings. The main opposition party, Chadema, claimed that hundreds of people were killed by security forces after protests erupted on election day. “Around 700 people have been killed,” a party spokesman told AFP, citing data collected from hospitals and health centers. Independent security and diplomatic sources in Dar es Salaam also confirmed that the death toll was “in the hundreds.”
Chadema was barred from contesting the election, and its leader is currently on trial for treason. Rights groups have accused Hassan’s administration of orchestrating a “wave of terror” before the vote, including politically motivated abductions and intimidation. Despite heavy security, protests broke out nationwide, with demonstrators tearing down posters, attacking police, and disrupting polling stations. The unrest prompted the government to shut down the internet and impose a nationwide curfew.
President Hassan, who ascended to power in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, has not made any public statement since the unrest began. Her government insists it has not used “excessive force” but has continued to restrict media operations and movement across the country. “Currently, no excessive force has been used,” Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo told Al Jazeera, denying knowledge of any deaths.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Tanzania, citing reports of deaths and injuries among demonstrators.
Much of the public anger has also been directed toward Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who has been accused of coordinating the crackdown. Despite rumors of divisions within the military, army chief Jacob Mkunda has publicly backed Hassan, calling the protesters “criminals.”
What You Should Know
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s landslide victory in Tanzania’s disputed election comes amid allegations of violence, human rights abuses, and mass killings of protesters.
With the main opposition party, Chadema, barred from participating and its leader facing treason charges, international observers have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the vote.
The UN and human rights organizations continue to call for restraint and accountability, while the Tanzanian government maintains that no excessive force has been used.
