Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term under heavy security following a highly disputed election marked by deadly protests, mass arrests, and accusations of widespread electoral fraud.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at a military parade ground in Dodoma and was closed to the public, with only selected dignitaries in attendance. It was broadcast live on state television, a notable change from past inaugurations held in open stadiums filled with supporters.
President Samia, 64, was declared the winner with an overwhelming 98% of the vote, a result dismissed by opposition groups and international observers who cited intimidation, ballot stuffing, and the exclusion of key rivals. In the days leading up to her inauguration, violent clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in several cities, leaving hundreds feared dead. Opposition leaders claim more than 800 people were killed, while UN and diplomatic sources have confirmed credible reports of at least 500 deaths.
Authorities enforced a nationwide internet blackout from election day until Monday afternoon, making it nearly impossible to verify the extent of the violence. Social media and messaging platforms remain restricted, leaving many families searching desperately for missing loved ones. One mother in Dar es Salaam, identified as Mama Kassim, tearfully told the BBC she had not heard from her son since election day and feared for his life.
Election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) condemned the vote, stating that in many areas “voters could not express their democratic will.” They reported irregularities such as ballot tampering, restricted access for opposition representatives, and arbitrary arrests. Despite the electoral commission’s claim of an 87% voter turnout, many polling stations were nearly empty. Opposition party Chadema, which was banned from participating, rejected the results entirely and called for a new election.
The unrest has disrupted daily life across the country, with prices of food, fuel, and transport more than doubling. Schools and universities remain closed, and public transport is limited. A worker stranded in Dar es Salaam told the BBC he had sent his last 10,000 shillings home to feed his family, but it ran out within days, leaving his children hungry.
During her address at the closed-door ceremony attended by regional leaders from Somalia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Burundi, President Samia praised the electoral commission for its “unquestionable efficiency” and expressed sorrow over the violence, calling it a “blot on Tanzania’s image.”
The political environment remains tightly controlled by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has governed since independence in 1961. Opposition leaders have been systematically sidelined. Chadema’s Tundu Lissu remains in custody on treason charges, while Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was barred from running over what his supporters call politically motivated legal issues. Only minor parties with limited influence were allowed to contest.
The international community has voiced alarm over Tanzania’s deteriorating political situation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the mounting death toll, while the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas urged authorities to exercise restraint. Pope Leo XIV called for global prayers, describing the post-election unrest as a “national tragedy.”
Meanwhile, Tanzanian police spokesperson David Misime has blamed “foreign agitators” for the violence, alleging that outsiders entered the country to incite chaos. His comments have sparked fears of xenophobic attacks, especially after reports surfaced of missing Kenyan nationals in the aftermath of the protests.
Samia Suluhu Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, now faces growing pressure to restore peace and credibility to her government. However, with the opposition weakened, the public silenced, and communication still restricted, many Tanzanians fear the country is edging further toward authoritarianism.
As one resident in Arusha lamented, “We are living in silence. People are scared to talk — even whispering feels dangerous.”