Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan Secures Overwhelming Election Victory as Nation Grapples With Deadly Unrest

In a political landscape marred by violence and controversy, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the decisive winner of Tanzania’s presidential election, securing what electoral officials describe as a commanding 98% of votes cast. The announcement comes amid what international observers characterize as one of the most turbulent periods in the East African nation’s recent history, with reports suggesting hundreds may have died in election-related violence.

A Victory Marred by Bloodshed and Controversy

The electoral commission’s declaration on Saturday morning confirmed what many had anticipated—another term for the incumbent president under the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. Yet behind the staggering statistics lies a nation deeply divided, where celebration in some quarters contrasts sharply with grief and outrage in others.

“I hereby announce Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner of the presidential election under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party,” declared Jacobs Mwambegele, Tanzania’s electoral chief, in a statement that would typically mark a moment of national unity. Instead, his words echoed across a country where internet blackouts and government-imposed curfews have made independent verification of events nearly impossible.

According to official figures, President Samia secured approximately 31.9 million votes—representing 97.66% of the total—with voter turnout reaching what the commission described as an impressive 87% of the country’s 37.6 million registered voters. But how many citizens participated willingly, and how many felt compelled by circumstance, remains a subject of intense debate both within Tanzania and among international observers.

The Human Cost: Conflicting Narratives Emerge

While government officials have sought to downplay the scale of the violence, opposition groups and diplomatic sources paint a far grimmer picture. A spokesperson from the opposition Chadema party told international media that “around 700” people had been killed in clashes with security forces. Meanwhile, a diplomatic source within Tanzania confided to the BBC that there was credible evidence suggesting at least 500 fatalities.

These numbers, if verified, would represent one of the deadliest periods of political violence in Tanzania’s modern history. Yet the nationwide internet shutdown has created an information vacuum, making independent confirmation of casualty figures extraordinarily difficult. In the absence of reliable information, rumors flourish and trust erodes.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit has characterized the violence as merely “a few isolated pockets of incidents here and there,” insisting that “security forces acted very swiftly and decisively to address the situation.” This official narrative, however, stands in stark contrast to eyewitness accounts and the assessments of international human rights organizations.

International Community Voices Grave Concern

The United Nations, along with several Western nations, has expressed deep alarm at the unfolding situation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated he was “deeply concerned” about developments in Tanzania, “including reports of deaths and injuries during the demonstrations.” He urgently called on all parties to “prevent further escalation” of violence.

The chorus of international concern has grown steadily louder. The United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement citing “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests.” This diplomatic language barely conceals the growing apprehension among Tanzania’s international partners about the country’s democratic trajectory.

Zanzibar: A Separate But Related Political Battle

In Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, which elects its own government and leader, the ruling CCM party also claimed victory. Hussein Mwinyi, the incumbent president of Zanzibar, secured nearly 80% of the vote according to official results. His swearing-in ceremony proceeded at the Amaan Complex stadium even as opposition groups denounced what they described as “massive fraud.”

The parallel political drama in Zanzibar underscores the comprehensive nature of the CCM’s electoral dominance—and the mounting frustration among opposition forces who feel systematically excluded from meaningful political participation.

The Protest Movement: Youth-Led Dissent Meets Heavy-Handed Response

Throughout the week, demonstrations have erupted across Tanzania, particularly in the port city of Dar es Salaam, where young protesters have taken to the streets in defiance of government warnings. The scenes have been dramatic: protesters tearing down President Samia’s campaign posters, clashing with police, and attacking polling stations in acts of symbolic and tangible resistance.

By Friday, despite warnings from the army chief to end the unrest, protests continued unabated. The demonstrators, predominantly young Tanzanians, have denounced the election as fundamentally unfair, accusing the government of systematically undermining democracy through the suppression of main opposition leaders.

Their grievances are specific and deeply felt: one prominent opposition leader remains jailed on treason charges he denies, while another was excluded from the race on technical grounds. With the main opposition voices effectively silenced, sixteen fringe parties—none with significant historical public support—were permitted to run, creating what critics describe as a democratic facade.

A Pattern of Pre-Election Repression

The current unrest did not emerge in a vacuum. In the months leading up to the election, human rights organizations documented what Amnesty International characterized as a “wave of terror” involving enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings of opposition figures. The government has consistently rejected these claims, maintaining that the election would be free and fair.

This pattern of repression raises difficult questions about Tanzania’s political evolution under President Samia, who came to office in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. Initially welcomed as a potential reformer, her administration now faces accusations of continuing the authoritarian tendencies of her predecessor.

Historical Context: The Unbroken Reign of CCM

To understand the current political crisis, one must appreciate the historical dominance of the CCM and its predecessor, Tanu. The party has never lost an election since Tanzania gained independence, maintaining what amounts to a political monopoly for decades. This unbroken reign has created a political culture where alternation of power remains theoretical rather than practical.

For younger Tanzanians, particularly those who have come of age in an era of greater global connectivity and democratic aspirations elsewhere in Africa, this perpetual one-party rule has become increasingly untenable. The current protests represent not merely dissatisfaction with a single election, but a deeper frustration with a political system that many feel offers no genuine alternatives.

The Information War: Internet Shutdowns and Media Access

The government’s decision to impose a nationwide internet shutdown represents a critical dimension of the current crisis. In the digital age, information blackouts have become a common tool for regimes seeking to control narratives during periods of political unrest. The effectiveness of this tactic, however, comes at a significant cost to transparency and accountability.

Without reliable internet access, journalists struggle to verify reports, families cannot confirm the safety of loved ones in affected areas, and the international community must rely on fragmented information. This creates conditions where both the government and its critics can advance competing narratives with minimal fear of immediate contradiction by verified facts.

Looking Forward: Reconciliation or Further Repression?

As President Samia Suluhu Hassan begins her new term, she faces a critical choice between national reconciliation and continued confrontation. The path of reconciliation would require acknowledging the legitimate grievances of protesters, initiating independent investigations into the violence, and taking concrete steps toward political inclusion. The alternative—doubling down on security measures and information control—risks further alienating a generation of young Tanzanians and deepening the country’s political divisions.

The international community watches with apprehension. Tanzania has long been regarded as an anchor of stability in East Africa, and its descent into political violence would have regional implications. The coming weeks will reveal whether the government seeks to heal the nation’s wounds or simply bandage them while the infection spreads beneath the surface.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The overwhelming electoral victory of President Samia Suluhu Hassan represents continuity with the political status quo, but the violence surrounding the election suggests that beneath the surface of political stability, profound tensions simmer. How the government responds to this challenge will determine not only the legitimacy of the current administration but the future of Tanzanian democracy itself.

As the sun sets over Dar es Salaam, with security forces maintaining their vigilant presence at roadblocks across the city, ordinary Tanzanians are left to wonder what tomorrow will bring. Will the nation find a path toward dialogue and inclusion, or will the current crackdown merely be the prelude to more sustained repression? The answer to this question will define Tanzania for a generation.

Source: Original BBC News Article