Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won a landslide re-election, securing 97.66 percent of the vote, according to official results released on Saturday. However, the victory has been overshadowed by days of deadly protests and allegations of a violent government crackdown.
The Tanzania Electoral Commission announced the result on state television, stating that Hassan dominated every constituency. A swift swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for later on Saturday, the broadcaster added.
The main opposition party, Chadema, was barred from participating in the election after its leader was charged with treason. The party accused security forces of killing hundreds of protesters since demonstrations erupted on election day, Wednesday, across major cities including Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
Chadema’s spokesman told AFP that around 700 people had been killed, citing figures collected from hospitals and clinics. A security source and a Western diplomat also confirmed that the death toll was likely in the hundreds.
The unrest began after reports of widespread voter suppression, internet shutdowns, and heavy-handed security operations. Protesters tore down campaign posters and clashed with police, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew and internet blackout.
President Hassan, who rose to power in 2021 following the sudden death of John Magufuli, has faced opposition from within the ruling establishment and the military. Analysts say her decisive win was aimed at consolidating power amid rising internal challenges.
Human rights groups have accused her government of overseeing a “wave of terror”, including abductions of opposition figures and intimidation of journalists in the run-up to the election.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said he was “deeply concerned” about the reports of deaths and injuries, urging calm and respect for human rights.
Much of the public anger has been directed at Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who protesters accuse of coordinating the crackdown.
In response, Army Chief Jacob Mkunda denounced the protesters as “criminals,” pledging full support to the president. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denied any use of “excessive force,” telling Al Jazeera that the government had “no confirmed figures” of casualties.
“Currently, no excessive force has been used,” Kombo said. “There’s no number until now of any protesters killed.”
The continuing information blackout has made it difficult to verify claims from either side, with most independent journalists and news websites unable to operate freely since Wednesday.
International observers and rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the alleged killings and the conduct of the election, which many fear has plunged Tanzania into its most serious political crisis in decades.
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