Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn into office yesterday for a second term in a ceremony that took place behind closed doors at a military base in Dodoma, following a landslide victory in an election marred by violence and disputed results.
Hassan, who came to power four years ago after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, won the October 29 election with nearly 98% of the vote, largely due to running against opposition candidates from minor parties. The two main opposition challengers were barred from participating in the race, sparking widespread protests and violence across the country.
Eyewitnesses reported that shops remained shuttered along empty streets in Dar-es-Salaam, the commercial capital, as a result of the three-day-long protest period. An internet blackout has been in place since the election day, exacerbating tensions.
The main opposition party Chadema rejected the results, branding the vote a "sham" and calling for new elections. According to the party, hundreds of people have been killed after protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas and live ammunition as government buildings were set on fire. Diplomats reported that there are credible reports of up to 800 deaths registered at hospitals and health clinics across Tanzania.
The UN human rights office has confirmed that at least 10 people have been killed in three cities. However, the Tanzanian government has denied using excessive force, with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo stating that there is no official record of any protesters being killed.
Rights groups have long sounded alarm over election-related violence and repression under Hassan's leadership. Analysts suggest she sought an emphatic victory to cement her place in power and silence critics within the ruling party. Local and international watchdogs have highlighted a pattern of "escalating" attacks, disappearances, and torture of critics since Hassan took office.
The election result has further intensified tensions, with many questioning the legitimacy of Hassan's re-election. The opposition remains divided on how to proceed in response to what they see as an illegitimate outcome.
Hassan, who came to power four years ago after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, won the October 29 election with nearly 98% of the vote, largely due to running against opposition candidates from minor parties. The two main opposition challengers were barred from participating in the race, sparking widespread protests and violence across the country.
Eyewitnesses reported that shops remained shuttered along empty streets in Dar-es-Salaam, the commercial capital, as a result of the three-day-long protest period. An internet blackout has been in place since the election day, exacerbating tensions.
The main opposition party Chadema rejected the results, branding the vote a "sham" and calling for new elections. According to the party, hundreds of people have been killed after protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas and live ammunition as government buildings were set on fire. Diplomats reported that there are credible reports of up to 800 deaths registered at hospitals and health clinics across Tanzania.
The UN human rights office has confirmed that at least 10 people have been killed in three cities. However, the Tanzanian government has denied using excessive force, with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo stating that there is no official record of any protesters being killed.
Rights groups have long sounded alarm over election-related violence and repression under Hassan's leadership. Analysts suggest she sought an emphatic victory to cement her place in power and silence critics within the ruling party. Local and international watchdogs have highlighted a pattern of "escalating" attacks, disappearances, and torture of critics since Hassan took office.
The election result has further intensified tensions, with many questioning the legitimacy of Hassan's re-election. The opposition remains divided on how to proceed in response to what they see as an illegitimate outcome.
so Samia Suluhu Hassan gets sworn in 4 a secnd term but its not like shes won the peoples vote lol she got 98% of the vote which is pretty much a done deal 
and the oppositon candidates r banned from runnin they even had 3 day protests and internet blackouts 
and now theres reports of up to 800 deaths registered at hospitals its wild 
its like a scene from a movie where the president just wins with almost 100% of the vote and everyone is all upset about it 
its like the country is in lockdown or something yeah i no tanzania has had some issues in the past but this just seems super unfair 
especially with all those reports of people dying and getting hurt 
did u see that one guy sayin that hundreds of ppl mightve been killed tho thats soooo sad 
... I mean, 98% of the vote? That's a pretty big chunk, but you have to wonder how many people even bothered to show up if the opposition was so thoroughly shut down 
. And I'm not buying the government's denial about excessive force... it just doesn't add up 
. I mean, I get that Hassan is trying to consolidate her power and all, but does she really need to silence critics so brutally? 
It's like, can't they just have a peaceful transfer of power or something? 
. I mean, 98% of the vote? That's some serious convincing 
. It's crazy how opposition parties can be barred from participating in elections and then have their protests shut down by internet blackouts 
. It sounds like she's playing a bit of a power game, trying to silence critics within her own party 
.
. Can't we all just have free and fair elections? It feels like that's not even up for discussion right now 
.
But still, it's a pretty big deal that there are credible reports of people dying. It's like, can't we all just agree to disagree or something?