Public barred as Tanzanian president sworn in
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan Sworn In for Second Term Amid Unrest and Opposition Outcry
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially begun her second term in office, taking the oath of office in a ceremony that was marked by tight security, muted celebrations, and deep national tension following one of the country’s most controversial elections in years.
The inauguration took place in Dodoma, the country’s capital, at a military parade ground instead of a stadium as in previous years. The event was closed to the public but broadcast live on state television.
President Samia, who was declared the winner with an overwhelming 98% of the vote, faced almost no real competition. Most opposition candidates were either jailed, barred from contesting, or forced into hiding.
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Election Marred by Violence and Internet Blackout
The election was accompanied by reports of violence, ballot stuffing, and voter intimidation. Rights groups and regional observers say hundreds of Tanzanians may have been killed during the unrest that followed polling day.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which sent observers, released a rare statement criticizing the election, saying that “voters could not express their democratic will in most areas.”
For days, internet access was cut off nationwide, with social media and messaging platforms restricted. According to internet monitor NetBlocks, services were only partially restored four days later, leaving citizens cut off from information and the outside world.
Voices of Pain and Loss
For many Tanzanians, the past week has been a time of heartbreak and confusion.
A woman identified only as Mama Kassim told the BBC she has not seen her two sons since election day. “I don’t know where he is. I don’t know whether he has been arrested, injured, or if he is dead,” she said through tears.
Another resident from Dar es Salaam said he has been stranded since polling day due to transport shutdowns. “I sent my last 10,000 shillings to my family for food,” he said. “Now we have nothing left.”
Opposition Calls the Vote a “Sham”
The main opposition party, Chadema, which was prevented from participating, rejected the results, saying the vote had “no basis in reality.” The party claimed that more than 800 people were killed in post-election violence, while diplomatic sources estimated at least 500 confirmed deaths.
The UN Human Rights Office said it had verified at least 10 deaths in three cities but added that the true number was likely far higher.
International condemnation quickly followed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas, and Pope Leo XIV all called for restraint and expressed concern over the killings.
Crumbling Economy and Daily Hardship
Amid the political turmoil, ordinary Tanzanians are bearing the brunt. Food, fuel, and basic goods prices have reportedly doubled or tripled. Schools remain closed, and public transport is still suspended.
During her speech, President Samia acknowledged the bloodshed, calling it a “blot on Tanzania’s image,” and promised to restore normalcy. “We must move forward and heal as a nation,” she said.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The crisis has shaken Tanzania’s image as one of East Africa’s more stable countries. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has never lost an election since independence and remains deeply entrenched in the state structure.
Samia’s reelection was expected, but the scale of violence and suppression has raised doubts about whether Tanzania’s democracy can survive under such conditions.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have long accused the government of using fear and force to maintain power, citing disappearances, torture, and harassment of journalists and activists.
As the country struggles to restore calm, many Tanzanians are left questioning what the next five years will bring—and whether genuine democracy can ever return.
