Tanzania’s election authority said Saturday that President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the presidency with 97.66 percent of Wednesday’s vote after leading challengers were kept off the ballot. State media reported that a swearing-in ceremony was expected later Saturday. Protests broke out in major cities over the barred contenders and alleged repression, and security forces used tear gas and gunfire as some crowds burned government buildings and tore down campaign banners.
The main opposition party, Chadema, which was blocked from the race, said about 700 people had been killed based on reports from hospitals and clinics. The United Nations human rights office said credible accounts pointed to at least 10 deaths in three cities. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said authorities acted appropriately and that the vote was fair, adding that officials had no confirmed toll and that excessive force was not used.
Hassan, who became president in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, faced 16 lesser-known candidates. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu has been jailed on treason charges tied to his push for electoral reform, which he denies. Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was barred. Rights groups accuse Hassan’s government of abductions and other abuses ahead of the vote. She has not addressed the unrest. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is deeply concerned, citing reports of deaths and injuries.
The main opposition party, Chadema, which was blocked from the race, said about 700 people had been killed based on reports from hospitals and clinics. The United Nations human rights office said credible accounts pointed to at least 10 deaths in three cities. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said authorities acted appropriately and that the vote was fair, adding that officials had no confirmed toll and that excessive force was not used.
Hassan, who became president in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, faced 16 lesser-known candidates. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu has been jailed on treason charges tied to his push for electoral reform, which he denies. Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was barred. Rights groups accuse Hassan’s government of abductions and other abuses ahead of the vote. She has not addressed the unrest. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is deeply concerned, citing reports of deaths and injuries.
