Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan Re‑elected Amid Unrest and Fatalities
Tanzania's incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a second term with an official result showing roughly 98% of the vote. The announcement came after a tightly contested election day that was marred by widespread disturbances and reports that hundreds of people may have died during the unrest.
Election officials said the vote count was completed within the standard timetable and that the results reflected the will of the electorate. The high percentage of support for President Hassan, who succeeded the late John Magufuli in 2021, has been attributed to her promises of economic stability and continuity of existing development projects.
However, the election period was shadowed by a wave of protests in several regions, triggered by allegations of irregularities, restrictions on opposition campaigning, and concerns over the transparency of the voting process. Local authorities reported clashes between security forces and demonstrators, and human‑rights organizations warned that the exact number of casualties remained uncertain, with estimates ranging from dozens to several hundred.
International observers, who were granted limited access, called for a thorough investigation into the incidents and urged the government to ensure that any allegations of misconduct are addressed promptly. They also emphasized the importance of upholding democratic standards and protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly.
In response, government spokespeople reiterated that the election was conducted in accordance with national law and that security forces acted to restore order. They pledged to launch an independent review of the incidents and to provide assistance to families affected by the violence.
Analysts suggest that the election outcome, combined with the unrest, could shape Tanzania’s political trajectory in the coming years. While the administration is expected to continue its current policy agenda, the events surrounding the vote may prompt calls for electoral reforms and greater transparency to prevent future instability.
