President Samia Suluhu Hassan Wins Landslide With 97.66 Amid Claims Of Deadly Crackdown
Tanzania: President Samia Suluhu Hassan Wins Landslide with 97.66% Amid Claims of Deadly Crackdown
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania’s presidential election with a landslide 97.66 percent of the vote, according to official results announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Saturday. The emphatic victory comes amid an intense crackdown by security forces following days of violent protests and the jailing or barring of key opposition candidates.
The NEC announced on state television that President Hassan, of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, dominated every constituency. A quick swearing-in ceremony was expected to take place on Saturday.
Protests and Violence Erupt
The election, held on Wednesday, has been marred by widespread condemnation and violence.
- Opposition Claims: The main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from contesting the election and whose leader remains on trial for treason, alleges that hundreds of people have been killed by security forces since protests broke out on election day. A party spokesman reportedly cited a death toll of “around 700,” based on data gathered from hospitals and clinics, though these figures have been widely disputed by the government.
- Government Response: The Tanzanian government has denied using excessive force and has not provided any official casualty figures. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo stated to Al Jazeera, “Currently, no excessive force has been used. There’s no number until now of any protesters killed.”
- International Concern: The international community has expressed alarm.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced his deep concern over the situation, including reports of deaths and injuries during demonstrations, while the UN human rights office has called for an impartial investigation. Foreign ministers from the UK, Canada, and Norway also cited “credible reports of a large number of fatalities” in a joint statement.
The Context of the Win
President Hassan was elevated from Vice-President following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021. Analysts suggest her overwhelming victory is an effort to consolidate her position within the ruling establishment, having faced internal opposition from elements of the army and Magufuli’s loyalists.
The legitimacy of the vote has been questioned by critics and human rights groups, who describe the process as a “coronation” rather than a genuine contest.
- Opposition Barred: The exclusion of her two most viable challengers, including Chadema’s leader who remains in detention on treason charges, effectively left her virtually unopposed.
- Wave of Repression: Rights groups, including Amnesty International, accuse Hassan’s administration of overseeing a “wave of terror” in the run-up to the vote, citing reports of abductions, intimidation of political opponents, and the pre-election crackdown.
- Media and Internet Restrictions: Authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout and a curfew following the eruption of protests, severely limiting communication and making independent verification of events difficult for journalists and activists.
The widespread unrest and the disputed election results are likely to amplify political divisions and could lead to increased international scrutiny on the East African nation.
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