Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a sweeping election victory, according to official results announced on Saturday, following a tense and violent vote marred by deadly protests and mass arrests of opposition figures.
The country’s electoral commission declared that Hassan won 97.66 percent of the total votes, dominating across all constituencies. Her inauguration, described as a swift swearing-in, was expected to take place later the same day, as broadcast on state television.
However, the outcome came against the backdrop of chaos and bloodshed. The main opposition party, Chadema, alleged that hundreds of its supporters were killed by security forces during protests that erupted on election day. Independent reports from Dar es Salaam also suggested the death toll could be in the hundreds, although the government has denied using excessive force.
Hassan, who rose to power in 2021 following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, has faced internal resistance from parts of the military and loyalists of the late president. Political observers believe her landslide win was aimed at consolidating authority amid growing dissent within the ruling establishment.
Rights groups accused her administration of waging a “wave of terror” before the election, pointing to a series of abductions, arrests, and intimidation of opposition members in the days leading up to the vote. Chadema was barred from participating, while its leader remains on trial for treason.
Election day quickly descended into unrest despite a heavy security presence. Demonstrators across several regions tore down campaign posters, clashed with police, and attacked polling centers. The government responded by shutting down the internet, enforcing a nationwide curfew, and restricting media operations.
With journalists barred from reporting freely and many news websites offline since Wednesday, information from the ground has been scarce. A Chadema spokesperson told Zoyols Blog that estimates of “around 700 deaths” were compiled from health facilities and local reports.
Amid the growing crisis, President Hassan has remained silent. Her son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, has drawn widespread anger, with protesters accusing him of orchestrating parts of the crackdown.
While unverified accounts suggested some soldiers had joined demonstrators, the army chief, Jacob Mkunda, publicly declared loyalty to the president, branding protesters as “criminals.”
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo dismissed reports of a high death toll, insisting that “no excessive force has been used.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed deep concern over the violence, calling for restraint and urging authorities to respect human rights as Tanzania grapples with one of its most turbulent post-election moments in recent history.
