Tanzania's Stability Under Threat: President Acknowledges Damage from Election Unrest

Tue Nov 18 2025 20:30:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following a violent response to disputed elections, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan states that the recent unrest has tarnished the country's global reputation and urges for reconciliation.

In a recent address, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan recognized that the unrest surrounding last month's disputed elections has damaged the nation's image for stability. Despite being declared the winner of the elections with an overwhelming majority of 98%, the opposition has labeled the process a 'mockery of democracy.' As violence escalated, with hundreds of casualties reported, Hassan announced an investigation into the unrest and called for reconciliation efforts to restore international credibility.

Tanzania's image for stability has been 'stained' by the unrest that hit the East African nation during last month's heavily disputed elections, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has acknowledged.

Speaking as she swore in her new cabinet, Samia warned that the violence could 'set the country back.' 'We mostly depend on loans from international creditors, but what happened eroded our global credibility,' the 65-year-old president said.

She was declared the winner of October's presidential poll with 98% of the vote, but the opposition—barred from contesting—denounced the election as a 'mockery of democracy.'

Lazarus Chakwera, former president of Malawi and the Commonwealth envoy, is set to arrive in Tanzania to lead reconciliation efforts. Reports suggest that hundreds may have died as security forces crushed protests during a five-day internet blackout post-elections, although official death tolls are still unreported.

Gruesome images and videos of casualties have circulated online, showcasing the violent aftermath of the elections, which were marked by the jailing and disqualification of key opposition leaders.

At least 240 individuals were charged with treason as a result of the protests. President Suluhu Hassan, newly sworn in following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, initially received praise for easing political repression, but many believe the political space has again narrowed under her leadership.

Notably, she has urged her ministers to focus on mobilizing domestic resources in light of the challenges faced in securing international loans due to the recent unrest.

Hassan also appointed her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, as deputy education minister, amidst a reshuffle that saw seven former ministers lose their positions.

Amidst concerns about the state of democracy in Tanzania, the situation remains precarious as the government prepares for ongoing reconciliatory talks.