Tanzania: President Samia wins election with nearly 98% of the vote

By The Inspirer.

Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission has announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the presidential election with 97.66% of the vote. The election was followed by unrest and protests across the country.

The Commission confirmed that Suluhu secured victory in all regions of the country, defeating her closest challenger, Chaumu, who garnered only 0.65%.

On Saturday, the Tanzanian government announced that President Suluhu’s swearing-in ceremony would be held in the near future.

The presidential and parliamentary elections in Tanzania triggered widespread unrest and violent demonstrations, with protesters taking to the streets, setting fire to government infrastructure, and clashing with security forces.

Demonstrators were protesting against what they called political repression and the disqualification of major opposition candidates, accusing President Hassan’s administration of authoritarian rule.

Despite tight security, election day descended into chaos. Some protesters destroyed campaign posters promoting Hassan and set government buildings ablaze, while police responded with live ammunition and tear gas, according to eyewitness accounts reported by local media.

The main opposition party, Chadema, which had been barred from participating in the election, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday that around 700 people had been killed, citing figures collected from hospitals and clinics.

However, the UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 10 people were confirmed dead in three cities, based on verified information.

Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, told Al Jazeera on Friday that the government had taken appropriate measures and that the elections were conducted transparently.

He stated, “No excessive force was used,” adding that the government “has no official figures” on the number of protesters who may have died.
He further dismissed the opposition’s claims, saying: “These reports that 700 people were killed—I have seen no such evidence.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the situation in Tanzania, citing reports of deaths and injuries during the protests.

Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 after the sudden death of John Magufuli, represented the ruling CCM party in this election, facing 16 challengers from various opposition parties.

Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, has been in detention for several months on treason charges, following his calls for electoral reforms aimed at ensuring free and fair elections.

Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina from the ACT-Wazalendo party, was also disqualified from contesting.

Human rights organizations have accused Hassan’s government of authoritarian practices ahead of the election, including reports of disappearances of opposition members in the days leading up to the vote—allegations the government has repeatedly denied.

So far, President Hassan has made no public comment on the ongoing protests across the country.