President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a landslide victory in Tanzania’s national election, winning 97.66% of the vote, according to official results announced on state television Saturday.
The election, marred by violence and widespread arrests, came after several opposition figures were either jailed or barred from contesting.
Despite the unrest, the electoral commission declared Hassan the winner in all constituencies. State TV also confirmed that a swift swearing-in ceremony would follow later in the day.
The opposition party Chadema reported that hundreds of people were killed by security forces after protests erupted on election day, Wednesday.
A party spokesperson told AFP that approximately 700 people had died, citing data collected from hospitals and clinics across the country.
Security sources and diplomats in Dar es Salaam corroborated that fatalities were likely “in the hundreds.”
Despite the mounting unrest, the government has denied using excessive force, although internet access remains cut off nationwide under a tight lockdown and curfew. Most news outlets have been unable to update since Wednesday, and journalists report restrictions on press freedom.
Hassan, who became president in 2021 following the sudden death of John Magufuli, has faced internal resistance from segments of the military and Magufuli loyalists. Analysts say she sought to consolidate her authority through a decisive electoral victory.
However, rights groups allege her administration launched a “wave of terror” before the vote, marked by kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, and crackdowns on opposition figures. Chadema’s leader was reportedly charged with treason, and the party was barred from participating in the election.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, calling for restraint and respect for human rights.
Meanwhile, public anger has increasingly turned toward Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who has been accused of directing parts of the government crackdown.
Amid rumors that some sections of the army sided with protesters, the army chief, Jacob Mkunda, publicly reaffirmed loyalty to the president, labeling demonstrators as “criminals.”
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, speaking to Al Jazeera, said the government had “no official figures” on casualties and denied allegations of excessive force.
AFP
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