Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term under tight security, following an election criticized by the opposition as fraudulent and marked by violent unrest. The inauguration took place at a military parade ground in Dodoma, replacing the traditional stadium setting. The event was closed to the public but broadcast live on state television. Samia was officially declared the winner on Saturday, securing 98% of the vote in an election where major opposition figures were either imprisoned or barred from running. International observers and local opposition have questioned the election’s credibility, with reports suggesting hundreds of people were killed in post-election violence. Observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) stated that in many areas, “voters could not express their democratic will,” pointing to opposition restrictions and alleged ballot irregularities. Authorities have minimized reports of violence, while a nationwide internet shutdown from election day until Monday has made it difficult to verify the scale of the unrest. After taking the oath, President Samia thanked the electoral commission for conducting the elections with “unquestionable efficiency” but expressed sorrow over the loss of life and destruction of property, calling it a stain on Tanzania’s reputation. Some Tanzanians remain unaccounted for. Mama Kassim, who has not seen her two sons since polling day, told the BBC, “I don’t know where he is, I don’t know whether he has been arrested, I don’t know if he is injured, I don’t know if he is hospitalised, I don’t know if he is dead.” The unrest has caused widespread disruption, with prices of food, fuel, and other essentials soaring. Schools and public transport have been suspended, and hospitals have been treating numerous injured people. During the inauguration, attended by leaders from Somalia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Burundi, President Samia called on authorities to restore normalcy immediately. She also said some of those arrested were foreign nationals and security agencies were investigating. The opposition Chadema party rejected the election results, claiming they “have no basis in reality” and called for a new vote. Police blamed violence and vandalism on foreign nationals and local motorbike operators, amid reports that some Kenyan nationals are missing or dead. International figures have expressed concern: Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for victims of post-election violence, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas urged restraint, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep concern over the deaths and injuries. Tanzania’s main opposition leaders did not contest the election. Tundu Lissu faces treason charges, which he denies, while Luhaga Mpina was barred on legal grounds. Only smaller parties with little public support were allowed to participate. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, along with its predecessor TANU, has maintained power in Tanzania since independence. Ahead of the vote, human rights groups including Amnesty International warned of a “wave of terror” targeting opposition members, citing disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The government insisted the election would be free and fair. Samia Suluhu Hassan initially became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli.
