By Titilope Adako
Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as president on Monday amid an ongoing internet blackout following post-election protests, with opposition claims that hundreds were killed by security forces.
The electoral commission announced that Hassan secured 98 percent of the vote, a result rejected by the main opposition party, Chadema, which had been barred from participating. Chadema called for fresh elections, describing last Wednesday’s vote as a “sham.”
State television showed officials and foreign dignitaries watching the inauguration from the State House parade grounds in Dodoma, rather than a stadium as usual, while the public was barred from attending.
An internet blackout that began on election day has severely restricted independent reporting. A diplomatic source cited credible reports of hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths at hospitals and clinics across the country. Chadema claimed to have recorded “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday, though these figures could not be independently verified. The government has dismissed allegations of “excessive force.”
Schools and colleges remained closed on Monday, public transport was halted, and some church services reportedly did not take place. The diplomatic source said police were using the blackout to search for opposition members and protesters who might have video evidence of atrocities.
Dar es Salaam and other cities were calmer over the weekend under a near-total lockdown. AFP journalists reported that police were stopping residents, checking IDs and bags, and only allowing shops to open in the afternoon.
On Zanzibar, where political freedom is greater and few protests occurred, AFP reporters observed masked armed men patrolling without identification in the days after the election. A Kenyan rights group shared footage it claimed was from Tanzania, showing bodies piled in the streets, though this could not be independently confirmed.
Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for Tanzania, describing the post-election violence as having “numerous victims” and urging dialogue and the avoidance of violence.
Hassan, who became vice-president after John Magufuli’s sudden death in 2021, was seeking a decisive election victory to strengthen her position and silence internal critics. Rights groups reported a “wave of terror” before the vote, including abductions that intensified in the final days.
Despite heavy security, election day descended into chaos, with crowds tearing down campaign posters and attacking police and polling stations, prompting the internet shutdown and a curfew. Observers noted low voter turnout before the violence erupted, though the electoral commission later claimed an 87 percent turnout.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the situation, including reports of deaths and injuries. International reactions have been limited, but Kenyan President William Ruto and Democratic Republic of Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi congratulated Hassan, urging peace and the rule of law.
AFP
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