Tanzania’s President Triumphs in Election: A Decisive Victory Announced

The election commission has declared Tanzania’s President the winner with nearly 98 percent of the votes. The country has been rocked by protests for days – critics accuse her of massive repression.

In East Africa’s Tanzania, incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner. The election commission reported that Hassan received nearly 98 percent of the votes and won all constituencies. This sets her up for a second term. According to state television, a brief swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for today.

During the presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday and the following days, there were mass protests and riots. The UN Human Rights Office reported credible accounts of at least ten deaths in three cities. The government dismissed the opposition’s claim of hundreds of deaths as “grossly exaggerated,” but did not provide any information on casualties.

UN Chief Guterres Calls for Investigation

The anger of the demonstrators is directed against the exclusion of Hassan’s two main challengers. The largest opposition party, Chadema, was not allowed to participate in the election, prompting it to call for a boycott. Chadema party leader Tundu Lissu was arrested in April. He is being tried for treason and faces the death penalty.

The demonstrators also accuse the government of massive repression around the election. Eyewitnesses reported that the police used tear gas and firearms against demonstrators who tore down Hassan’s election posters and set fire to government buildings. The authorities imposed a curfew and restricted internet access.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denied the use of “excessive force” by security forces. President Hassan has not yet publicly commented on the unrest. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a thorough and impartial investigation of the allegations.

Critics Speak of a “Wave of Terror”

Hassan took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, under whom she had served as vice president since 2015. Initially, she received praise for easing the repressive policies of her predecessor. However, human rights groups and opposition members have recently accused Hassan of being responsible for a “wave of terror.” Hassan has denied these allegations.