President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country. Samia won 98% of the votes in Wednesday's poll, the electoral commission said. In her Saturday victory speech, she claimed the election was 'free and democratic,' alleging that protesters were 'unpatriotic.' However, opposition parties have rejected these results, calling the vote a mockery of the democratic process, especially as many of Samia's main challengers have either been imprisoned or barred from running.
International observers have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the widespread turmoil, with reports suggesting that hundreds of people may have died or been injured in the unrest. A nationwide internet shutdown has made it difficult to verify the situation, and the government is attempting to downplay the violence while extending a curfew to restore order.
Receiving her victory certificate, 65-year-old Samia thanked security forces for ensuring that violence did not disrupt the voting process, while condemning the unrest as unpatriotic. Despite a high voter turnout of nearly 87% from Tanzania's 37.6 million registered voters, the credibility of the election is in question, given the history of government repression against opposition members.
The situation remains tense, particularly in Dar es Salaam, where previous protests resulted in demonstrators tearing down Samia's posters and clashing with police. Young protesters, calling for fair elections, have accused the government of undermining democracy.
Despite the official figures, sources within the opposition claim that around 700 people may have died in clashes with security forces, while international reactions have echoed concerns regarding the fatalities and the government’s security response. The turbulent backdrop of this election has cast a shadow over Tanzania's political future, as the government continues to dismiss allegations of electoral fraud and repression.
International observers have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the widespread turmoil, with reports suggesting that hundreds of people may have died or been injured in the unrest. A nationwide internet shutdown has made it difficult to verify the situation, and the government is attempting to downplay the violence while extending a curfew to restore order.
Receiving her victory certificate, 65-year-old Samia thanked security forces for ensuring that violence did not disrupt the voting process, while condemning the unrest as unpatriotic. Despite a high voter turnout of nearly 87% from Tanzania's 37.6 million registered voters, the credibility of the election is in question, given the history of government repression against opposition members.
The situation remains tense, particularly in Dar es Salaam, where previous protests resulted in demonstrators tearing down Samia's posters and clashing with police. Young protesters, calling for fair elections, have accused the government of undermining democracy.
Despite the official figures, sources within the opposition claim that around 700 people may have died in clashes with security forces, while international reactions have echoed concerns regarding the fatalities and the government’s security response. The turbulent backdrop of this election has cast a shadow over Tanzania's political future, as the government continues to dismiss allegations of electoral fraud and repression.
