Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Wins 98% in Disputed Election Amid Deadly Protests

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan celebrates re-election victory amid deadly protests and opposition crackdown.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the overwhelming winner of the country’s presidential election, securing 97.66 percent of the total votes. The official results, announced by the Tanzanian Electoral Commission on state television on Saturday, November 1, 2025, have sparked both celebration among her supporters and outrage among the opposition. The announcement followed days of violence, arrests, and an internet shutdown across the country as protests erupted over claims of election fraud and political repression.

President Hassan’s near-total victory has raised eyebrows both at home and abroad. Critics argue that the election lacked fairness due to the disqualification and detention of major opposition figures.
The main opposition party, Chadema, alleged that the government orchestrated the election to ensure Hassan’s re-election. A Chadema spokesman told AFP that around 700 people were killed during nationwide protests that followed the October 29 polls; figures were reportedly compiled from hospitals and health facilities across Tanzania. Diplomatic sources in Dar es Salaam confirmed that the number of casualties was likely “in the hundreds.”
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, condemned what they described as a “wave of state-sponsored terror,” pointing to widespread arrests and abductions of activists and opposition members before the election.

At 65, Samia Suluhu Hassan is Tanzania’s first female president. She took office in 2021 following the sudden death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli. Initially viewed as a moderate reformer, Hassan quickly faced resistance from powerful factions within her ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and elements of the military. Analysts say this election served as her opportunity to consolidate power, sideline rivals, and strengthen her grip over the political and security establishment.
“Her overwhelming victory sends a message internally that dissent within CCM will not be tolerated,” said one East African political analyst.

On Wednesday, October 29, thousands of Tanzanians lined up to cast their votes. However, by midday, reports of violence, arrests, and intimidation began to surface. Opposition strongholds saw heavy security deployment, with soldiers guarding polling stations. Protesters in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma burned campaign posters and clashed with police. The government cut off internet services and imposed a nationwide curfew as unrest spread. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, police firing live bullets, tear gas filling the streets, and protesters fleeing into nearby markets and homes.
One security source called it “the most violent election in recent Tanzanian history.”

Since election day, Tanzania’s government has maintained strict control over media reporting. Independent journalists say they were barred from entering polling areas, while local outlets critical of the government had their websites blocked. President Hassan has not made any public comments regarding the violence. Government spokespersons have denied using excessive force, claiming “only minimal measures” were taken to restore order. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, in an interview with Al Jazeera, dismissed reports of mass killings:

“No excessive force has been used. There is no official record of deaths at this time,” he said.

However, international observers argue that the government’s information blackout makes verification nearly impossible.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep concern over the violence, urging Tanzanian authorities to uphold human rights and restraint. Several Western nations, including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, called for transparent investigations into the alleged killings and human rights abuses. Human rights organizations are also urging the African Union (AU) and the East African Community (EAC) to intervene diplomatically to prevent further instability. Economists warn that the crisis could have serious economic consequences, as the protests disrupted transportation, trade, and internet services, affecting both domestic businesses and foreign investment.

Much of the anger has been directed toward the president’s inner circle, particularly her son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, whom opposition figures accuse of coordinating the violent crackdown.
Though these allegations remain unverified, they have fueled growing resentment, especially among the urban youth who feel silenced and marginalized by state power. Unconfirmed reports also suggested that some army units briefly mutinied, refusing to fire on civilians. However, on October 30, the Army Chief, General Jacob Mkunda, reaffirmed his loyalty to President Hassan, labeling protesters as “criminals bent on destabilizing the nation.”

Tanzania’s 2025 election resonates far beyond its borders. The developments have raised fresh debates about the state of democracy in Africa, particularly in nations with dominant ruling parties. Political analysts note that Tanzania’s unrest is a cautionary tale for other African democracies, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, where opposition suppression and voter intimidation have also drawn criticism.
The incident underscores the urgent need for electoral reforms, freedom of expression, and the independence of state institutions in preserving democratic values across the continent.

As President Hassan prepares to be sworn in for another five-year term, she faces the daunting task of healing a divided nation.
Key challenges ahead include:
1. Restoring public trust in state institutions and electoral processes.

2. Investigating protest deaths and ensuring accountability.

3. Balancing internal party dynamics within the CCM to maintain political stability.

4. Re-engaging international partners to restore investor confidence.

5. Addressing economic disruptions caused by the unrest and internet shutdown.
If these issues remain unresolved, Tanzania risks long-term instability and deepening divisions.
See Also...INEC Declares 99% Readiness for 2025 Anambra Governorship Election
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s landslide win may appear as a political triumph, but the surrounding turmoil has cast a long shadow over Tanzania’s democratic image. For many Tanzanians, this election has become a symbol of a struggle for voice and justice rather than a celebration of democracy.
As the dust settles, the international community and Africa at large will watch closely to see whether the country’s first female president will lead a path toward reconciliation and reform or whether this victory will mark the beginning of a new era of political repression.

By Primelineinfo