Samia Suluhu Hassan
Tanzania reels from post-election violence after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared winner with 97.66% of the vote. Clashes have left hundreds dead, thousands injured, and families searching for missing relatives. Observers cite intimidation and irregularities, raising serious doubts about the polls’ credibility.
Tanzania is grappling with widespread unrest following the country’s 2025 general elections, casting serious doubts over the credibility of the vote. Reports indicate that hundreds have been killed and thousands injured in clashes between protesters and security forces, with families in major cities searching for missing loved ones amid the chaos.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with an overwhelming 97.66% of the vote, extending the rule of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the party in power since independence in 1961. The scale of the victory has raised scepticism domestically and internationally, prompting questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
Domestic human rights groups and observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reported serious irregularities, including voter intimidation, restricted access for independent monitors, and the confiscation of observer credentials. The European Union and European Parliament criticised the polls as neither free nor fair, highlighting systemic flaws in the democratic process.
Tensions had already been high in the lead-up to the election, with at least 83 abductions reported by the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) since Hassan took office in 2021. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains facing treason charges, which international observers view as a stark indicator of weakened judicial independence.
The unrest has disrupted daily life, with businesses, transport, and communications severely affected. Authorities imposed temporary curfews and blocked social media platforms in an effort to control the flow of graphic footage and reports of the violence. While some areas have returned to a fragile calm, the heavy presence of military and police forces underscores lingering instability.
Analysts warn that the violent aftermath of the polls could deepen political polarization and further erode public trust in Tanzania’s democratic institutions. Regional observers caution that continued unrest may have broader implications for governance and stability across East Africa, placing the credibility of future elections in doubt.
