Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was inaugurated on Monday in a closed-door ceremony at the State House in Dodoma, as the country remained under an internet blackout following violent election protests that opposition groups claim left hundreds dead.
The National Electoral Commission declared President Hassan the winner with 98 percent of the vote in the October 29 election. However, the main opposition party, CHADEMA which was barred from contesting has dismissed the results as fraudulent, calling the vote a “sham” and demanding fresh elections.
Unlike previous inaugurations, state broadcaster TBC announced that the public would not be allowed to attend the ceremony, citing security concerns.
Nation Under Lockdown
Tanzania has been largely cut off from the outside world since election day, with a complete internet blackout severely restricting the flow of verified information. A diplomatic source told AFP that credible reports suggest “hundreds, perhaps even thousands” of deaths have been registered at hospitals and clinics nationwide. CHADEMA has reported at least 800 fatalities, though none of the figures can be independently confirmed.
The government has yet to acknowledge any deaths and has denied accusations of using excessive force. Schools and universities remain closed, public transport is suspended, and a heavy police and military presence continues to enforce curfews in major cities.
Tight Security and Reports of Abuses
In Dar es Salaam, AFP reporters described near-empty streets and tight security, with police conducting random searches and allowing shops to open only in the afternoon. On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar where protests were minimal witnesses reported masked armed men patrolling without identification.
Human rights organizations in neighboring Kenya released disturbing footage allegedly captured in Tanzania, showing scenes of violence and bodies in the streets. The videos, however, have not been independently verified due to restricted media access.
Calls for Calm and Dialogue
Pope Leo XIV called on the international community to pray for Tanzania, expressing sorrow over the “numerous victims” of post-election unrest. “I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to pursue the path of dialogue,” the Pontiff said on Sunday.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep concern over reports of deaths and injuries during the demonstrations, urging Tanzanian authorities to ensure restraint and uphold human rights.
A Contested Legacy
President Hassan, who rose to power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, sought a decisive win to consolidate her authority and silence critics within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. However, rights groups accuse her government of orchestrating a “wave of terror” ahead of the polls including abductions of opposition figures and widespread intimidation.
Despite official reports of an 87 percent voter turnout, observers noted that polling stations were largely empty before the unrest began. As Tanzania’s government maintains a near-total lockdown, global attention remains fixed on the country’s growing political crisis and the uncertainty surrounding its path forward.
