Tanzania's President Secures Reelection amid Deadly Unrest

Sun Nov 02 2025 22:52:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a controversial election, President Samia Suluhu Hassan claims victory with 98% of the vote, as unrest envelops the nation with hundreds feared dead.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing around 98% of the votes amidst significant unrest and allegations of voter suppression. The opposition has rejected the results, citing violence and intimidation against their leaders. As the violence escalates, international observers and local reports indicate a troubling death toll, with estimates of hundreds injured or killed. The government’s ongoing response to protests further complicates the already tense situation in Tanzania.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country.

Samia won 98% of the votes in Wednesday's poll, the electoral commission said. In her Saturday victory speech, she stated the election was 'free and democratic,' accusing protesters of being 'unpatriotic.'

Opposition parties rejected the results, calling the vote a mockery of the democratic process as Samia's main challengers had been either imprisoned or barred from running.

International observers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and widespread turmoil that has reportedly left hundreds of people dead and injured.

The nationwide internet shutdown is making it difficult to verify the death toll.

The government has sought to downplay the scale of the violence, and authorities have extended a curfew in a bid to quell the unrest.

Receiving her victory certificate on Saturday, Samia, 65, emphasized gratitude towards security forces for their role in ensuring voting continued despite the violence.

On the ground, tensions remain high in Dar es Salaam, where security forces monitor the streets. Reports from activists have claimed that around 700 individuals lost their lives in confrontations with security personnel.

The UN and several countries have raised alarms regarding the violent responses to protests, calling for restraint.

Overall, the political atmosphere in Tanzania remains strained as the ruling party consolidates power in a climate marked by fear and allegations of repression against dissent.