Tanzania's President Declared Winner Amid Unrest and Allegations of Violence

Sun Nov 02 2025 18:54:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following an election marked by severe unrest and a controversial outcome, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential race.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a second term with a reported 98% of the votes amid widespread unrest and claims of election fraud. Opposition parties have rejected the results, highlighting the violent crackdown on protests that have left hundreds feared dead. International observers raise concerns over the election's transparency, while the government defends its actions and extends a curfew to control the situation.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country.

Samia won 98% of the votes in Wednesday's poll, the electoral commission said. In her Saturday victory speech she described the election as free and democratic, accusing protesters of being unpatriotic.

Opposition parties have rejected the results, labeling the vote as a mockery of the democratic process due to the imprisonment and exclusion of major challengers.

International observers expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the turmoil that has reportedly left hundreds dead and injured.

The nationwide internet shutdown has complicated efforts to verify casualty figures, while the government downplays the violence and maintains a strict curfew.

In her victory declaration, Samia thanked security forces for supposedly preventing the violence from disrupting the electoral process, yet also condemned the disturbances as unpatriotic.

She garnered approximately 31.9 million votes from a turnout of nearly 87% among the 37.6 million registered voters. In the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, incumbent Hussein Mwinyi claimed victory with nearly 80% of the votes despite accusations of fraud from opposition factions.

No protests were reported on Saturday morning, although tension remained high in Dar es Salaam where security forces established roadblocks. Demonstrations had previously erupted across the country, with young protesters denouncing the election's fairness and accusing the government of suppressing democracy.

Opposition spokesman cited estimates of around 700 fatalities during clashes with security forces, while a diplomatic source mentioned credible counts of at least 500 deaths.

In response to the violence, government officials described the incidents as isolated and claimed that security forces acted promptly.

The UN and several foreign governments have urged restraint and expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and reported casualties.

Samia's administration, which has been criticized for democratic repression, insists the election was legitimate and transparent, while historical dominance by the ruling party continues to raise doubts about electoral fairness.

Samia, the first female president of Tanzania, took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli.