Key Points
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Samia Hassan wins with nearly 98 percent of votes in disputed poll.
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Opposition says hundreds killed as protests erupt across Tanzania.
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United Nations calls for restraint and investigation into reported violence.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won Tanzania’s disputed election with nearly 98 percent of the vote. The victory came after key opposition figures were blocked from running, sparking violent protests in several cities.
The National Electoral Commission announced on Saturday that Hassan received 97.66 percent of votes cast in Wednesday’s poll.
She dominated every constituency, according to official figures. State media said she would be sworn in later in the day.
Protests follow exclusion of rivals
Anger erupted almost immediately. Demonstrators filled the streets, accusing the government of rigging the vote and silencing opponents.
Police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds. Some protesters burned government buildings and tore down campaign posters, witnesses said.
Chadema, the main opposition party, claimed around 700 people had died during the unrest. The group said its figures came from hospitals and health clinics across the country.
The number could not be independently confirmed. The United Nations human rights office said it verified at least 10 deaths in three cities.
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo rejected reports of mass killings. He told Al Jazeera that authorities acted appropriately and used no excessive force. “The government has no official figures on protesters killed,” he said. “I have not seen these 700 anywhere.”
Global concern grows
International concern is rising. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” about the violence and reports of injuries. He urged all sides to avoid further confrontation and called for respect for human rights.
Hassan became president in 2021 after the sudden death of John Magufuli. She faced 16 candidates from smaller parties in this election.
Her main rival, Tundu Lissu of Chadema, remains in jail on treason charges after demanding electoral reforms. Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was also barred from contesting.
Rights groups say Hassan’s government led a campaign of intimidation before the vote. They accused authorities of detaining critics and orchestrating abductions. The government denied those claims and insisted the election was free and fair.
Hassan has not yet spoken publicly about the protests or the election outcome.
