Samia Suluhu Hassan Wins Tanzania’s Election Amid Disputed Results and Protests

Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission has declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of the country’s general election, securing 97.6 percent of the vote. The outcome, however, has sparked widespread unrest and allegations of irregularities, especially from opposition figures and young protesters demanding transparency.

The election, the first since Samia took office in 2021 following the death of former President John Pombe Magufuli, was marked by violent protests, especially among Generation Z activists, who accused the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), of manipulating the process to exclude opposition candidates.

Unrest and Conflicting Reports on Death Toll

While the United Nations reported that at least 10 people were killed during post-election clashes, local sources and rights groups claim the death toll could be significantly higher  with some unverified reports suggesting up to 700 casualties.
Security forces attempted to disperse demonstrators, but protests erupted across major cities, leading to the burning of government buildings, polling offices, and CCM property, including vehicles and homes of political leaders.

Critics Demand Political Reform

Tanzanian political analyst and exiled pastor Munishi, a vocal critic of the ruling party, said the unrest reflects “deep divisions caused by a system that no longer represents ordinary citizens.”
He told journalists that he chose not to vote, claiming that the electoral process “denied Tanzanians the right to freely choose their leaders.” Munishi called for national dialogue and political reform rather than violence, urging protesters to protect public property and focus on peaceful solutions.“Destroying government infrastructure won’t solve our problems,” he said. “Time will come when what belongs to the people will be returned to them.”

Government Defends the Electoral Process

In response, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, dismissed claims of widespread violence and irregularities. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said the elections were conducted “peacefully and transparently,” rejecting reports of excessive force by security agencies. “No excessive force was used,” Kombo said, adding that the government had no confirmed figures of fatalities.
“I have not seen evidence of 700 deaths anywhere,” he insisted.

Continuity and Challenges Ahead

At 65, President Samia Suluhu Hassan begins her first elected term after completing Magufuli’s unfinished mandate. Known for her calm leadership style and focus on diplomacy, she faces a divided nation and growing demands for political inclusiveness, media freedom, and youth participation in governance.

Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, Hussein Mwinyi, also of the ruling CCM party, was re-elected with 80 percent of the vote, further consolidating CCM’s control over the Tanzanian political landscape.

Despite her resounding victory, analysts say President Samia’s greatest test will be healing the nation’s divisions and rebuilding public trust in Tanzania’s democratic institutions.