Tanzania's President Declared Winner Amid Protests and Unrest

Sun Nov 02 2025 13:40:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Samia Suluhu Hassan has won reelection in Tanzania, securing 98% of the votes. However, the country is experiencing significant unrest, with reports of hundreds feared dead in clashes with security forces.

Following a contentious election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan claimed victory with 98% of the votes, Tanzania faces deep unrest. While the ruling party asserts the election was free and fair, opposition claims of widespread fraud and violence have sparked protests, leading to hundreds of deaths. International observers express concern about government repression and lack of transparency during this turbulent time.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country.

Hassan won 98% of the votes in Wednesday's poll, as stated by the electoral commission. In her victory speech on Saturday, she proclaimed that the election was free and democratic, labeling protesters as unpatriotic.

Opposition parties vehemently rejected the election results, characterizing the vote as a mockery of the democratic process, highlighting that most of Hassan's main challengers faced imprisonment or were barred from the election.

Amid these tensions, international observers raised alarms over a lack of transparency and turmoil that is reportedly responsible for hundreds of fatalities and injuries.

The ongoing nationwide internet shutdown complicates verification of the reported death toll, as the government downplays the violence and has extended curfews to curb unrest.

On receiving her victory certificate, Hassan, aged 65, thanked security forces for ensuring that violence did not disrupt the voting process, while condemning the clashes as unpatriotic.

The nationwide unrest culminated in demonstrations led by young protesters in Dar es Salaam and other cities, who charged the government with undermining democracy by suppressing major opposition leaders.

A spokesperson from the opposition party Chadema reported that around 700 individuals had lost their lives during confrontations with security forces, while other sources suggest at least 500 deaths.

Foreign governments and the UN voiced concerns regarding the violence, calling for all parties to prevent further escalation.

The election context presents a troubling picture, as the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), continues to dominate Tanzanian politics, and oppression of dissenting voices has been reported ahead of the polls.