Tanzanian President Samia Hassan has been declared the landslide winner of the just-concluded presidential election, after securing an overwhelming 97.66% of the total votes, according to results released by the Tanzania Electoral Commission on Saturday.
The victory gives President Samia a fresh five-year mandate to lead the East African nation of over 68 million citizens, having first assumed power in 2021 following the death of former president John Pombe Magufuli.
However, the election was overshadowed by chaos, violence, and accusations of repression, sparking outrage both locally and internationally.
Massive protests broke out across major cities during Wednesday’s vote, with angry demonstrators decrying what they called a “sham election.”
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as protesters set fire to government offices, tore down posters of President Samia, and clashed with police, who responded with tear gas and live ammunition.
According to Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, hundreds of people have reportedly been killed, while the U.N. Human Rights Office confirmed at least 10 deaths in three cities.
The government, however, dismissed the opposition’s claims as “hugely exaggerated”, insisting that the security forces acted professionally and lawfully.
In the wake of the violence, Tanzanian authorities have imposed a nationwide curfew for the past three nights and restricted internet access, with social media users struggling to share updates.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo downplayed reports of excessive force, saying that only “a few isolated incidents” occurred, allegedly caused by “criminal elements.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the alleged human rights abuses and use of excessive force during the election period.
He also expressed deep regret over the loss of lives and called on all sides to exercise restraint and dialogue.
While President Samia, 65, initially won praise for restoring freedoms after Magufuli’s repressive rule, she has more recently come under heavy criticism for alleged crackdowns on the opposition, arrests of critics, and enforced disappearances.
Despite pledging to investigate such allegations, no official report has been released.
During her campaign, Samia highlighted her achievements in infrastructure development, road and railway expansion, and electricity generation projects, promising continued progress under her new term.
The main opposition party CHADEMA was barred from contesting in April after refusing to sign a government code of conduct. Its leader Tundu Lissu was later charged with treason. Another opposition hopeful from ACT-Wazalendo was also disqualified leaving only minor candidates to face off with the incumbent.
This prompted opposition supporters to label the poll a “coronation rather than an election.”
