President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term in office amid days of unrest across the country. According to the electoral commission, Samia won 98% of the votes, nearly sweeping the 32 million ballots cast in Wednesday's election.
International observers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and widespread turmoil that has reportedly left hundreds of people dead and injured. A nationwide internet shutdown is complicating efforts to verify casualty figures, while the government has sought to downplay the violence and extended a curfew to quell unrest.
I hereby announce Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner of the presidential election under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Jacobs Mwambegele, the electoral chief, stated during the announcement of the results.
In Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, incumbent president Hussein Mwinyi also won his election with about 80% of the vote. However, opposition claims of "massive fraud" have sparked further tensions.
Protests continued across major cities, where demonstrators voiced their discontent with the electoral process and the absence of notable opposition figures, some of whom are jailed or were disqualified from running. Reports suggest substantial casualties, with the opposition claiming around 700 had died in confrontations with security forces.
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described the unrest as isolated incidents, emphasizing that security forces acted swiftly to restore order. Despite allegations from rights groups about government repression, officials maintain that the election was fair. Samia, who assumed office in 2021 as Tanzania's first female president, continues to face harsh scrutiny over her administration's approach to dissent and democratic governance.
International observers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and widespread turmoil that has reportedly left hundreds of people dead and injured. A nationwide internet shutdown is complicating efforts to verify casualty figures, while the government has sought to downplay the violence and extended a curfew to quell unrest.
I hereby announce Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner of the presidential election under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Jacobs Mwambegele, the electoral chief, stated during the announcement of the results.
In Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, incumbent president Hussein Mwinyi also won his election with about 80% of the vote. However, opposition claims of "massive fraud" have sparked further tensions.
Protests continued across major cities, where demonstrators voiced their discontent with the electoral process and the absence of notable opposition figures, some of whom are jailed or were disqualified from running. Reports suggest substantial casualties, with the opposition claiming around 700 had died in confrontations with security forces.
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit described the unrest as isolated incidents, emphasizing that security forces acted swiftly to restore order. Despite allegations from rights groups about government repression, officials maintain that the election was fair. Samia, who assumed office in 2021 as Tanzania's first female president, continues to face harsh scrutiny over her administration's approach to dissent and democratic governance.
