Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won a landslide election victory that ignited deadly unrest across the East African nation. The electoral commission announced on Saturday that Hassan received 31.9 million votes, or 97.66% of the total, securing another five-year term. Her main challengers were excluded from the ballot, prompting accusations of a rigged process and widespread public anger.
Protests erupted during Wednesday’s vote, with demonstrators tearing down campaign posters, torching government buildings, and clashing with police who fired tear gas and live ammunition.
Human rights groups reported mass arrests and alleged abductions of opposition supporters. Tanzania’s largest opposition party, CHADEMA, which was barred from the election, claimed that hundreds were killed in the unrest. The U.N. human rights office said at least 10 people died in three cities, though Reuters could not verify the toll.
In her victory speech in Dodoma, Hassan condemned the protests as “neither responsible nor patriotic,” vowing to use all security measures to maintain national stability.
Authorities have imposed a nationwide curfew and restricted internet access since Wednesday. International flights were cancelled and operations at Dar es Salaam’s port disrupted, crippling trade across the region.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the alleged excessive use of force. However, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo dismissed the claims, describing the unrest as “small pockets of criminal incidents.”
The official turnout of 87% drew scepticism, as it far exceeded participation in past elections. Observers said many polling stations appeared deserted amid the turmoil.
Once praised for easing repression after taking power in 2021, Hassan now faces growing criticism for her government’s heavy hand and silence on alleged human rights abuses.