UN calls for impartial probe into claims of excessive force and loss of life.
DAR ES SALAAM (Saturday, November 1, 2025): Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the landslide winner of a violence-marred national election, clinching nearly 98% of the votes, according to the country’s electoral commission.
The announcement comes after days of protests that left several people dead and scores injured across major cities, with demonstrators accusing authorities of rigging the vote and barring opposition candidates.
Opposition Outcry and Street Unrest
Protests erupted across the East African nation on Wednesday during the presidential and parliamentary elections. Witnesses reported demonstrators tearing down banners, burning government buildings, and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas and gunfire.
The unrest was triggered by the electoral commission’s decision to exclude Hassan’s two main challengers, including opposition party CHADEMA’s leader Tundu Lissu, from the ballot, a move critics said destroyed the credibility of the vote.
Opposition groups allege a massive cover-up of fatalities, claiming hundreds were killed during the unrest. However, the UN Human Rights Office reported at least 10 confirmed deaths across three major cities.
The Tanzanian government dismissed the opposition figures as “hugely exaggerated” and denied any systematic abuse by security forces.
Official Results and Turnout Claims
The National Electoral Commission reported that Hassan won 31.9 million votes, amounting to 97.66% of the total ballots cast. Officials also claimed a turnout rate of 87%, despite eyewitness accounts of deserted polling stations and disruptions caused by the unrest.
Authorities have since imposed a nationwide curfew for three consecutive nights and restricted internet access, further heightening tensions across the country.
UN Demands Accountability
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Tanzanian authorities to investigate allegations of excessive force, expressing concern over the mounting death toll.
“We call for a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force and deplore the loss of life,” said the UN statement issued late Friday.
Government Denial
Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo rejected allegations of widespread repression, claiming the disturbances were limited to “small pockets of incidents” caused by “criminal elements.”
He added that the security forces had acted with restraint and within the law.
Hassan’s Record and Recent Criticism
President Hassan, 65, who first assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, was initially praised for easing repression and opening dialogue with opposition groups.
However, in recent years she has faced mounting criticism for crackdowns on dissent, arrests, and alleged abductions of political opponents.
Last year, she pledged to investigate reports of political kidnappings, though no official findings were ever released.
During her campaign, Hassan touted her government’s achievements in infrastructure expansion and power generation, calling her leadership “a bridge to stability and progress.”
Opposition Parties Disqualified
The CHADEMA party, Tanzania’s largest opposition group, was barred from contesting the election after refusing to sign an official code of conduct earlier this year. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, is currently facing treason charges.
Another major party, ACT-Wazalendo, was also disqualified, leaving only minor political groups in the running effectively guaranteeing Hassan’s victory.
Analysts Warn of Democratic Backslide
Political observers and rights organizations say the election outcome marks a significant setback for Tanzanian democracy, once hailed as one of East Africa’s most stable systems.
Analysts fear the heavy-handed tactics used during the election could erode civil liberties and deepen public mistrust in the political process.