Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday in Dodoma after a highly contested election that sparked nationwide protests and international concern. The ceremony, held on government grounds and limited to invited guests, broke from the tradition of open public inaugurations in packed stadiums. The October 29 election was marred by allegations of voter suppression and violence after two main opposition candidates Tundu Lissu of the Chadema Party and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo — were barred from running. Opposition groups denounced the results as fraudulent, saying the vote “had no basis in reality.”
Unrest has gripped major cities, including Dar es Salaam, where gas stations, shops, and schools remained closed and security forces patrolled empty streets. The government deployed military units to assist police in quelling protests, while internet services were repeatedly shut down, affecting communications and travel. According to the U.N. human rights office, there are credible reports of at least 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro since the unrest began. The government has yet to release official casualty figures. The turmoil has also caused economic disruption. Tanzania temporarily closed its border with Kenya at Namanga, leaving trucks loaded with agricultural goods stranded for nearly a week.
International leaders have urged calm. Kenya’s President William Ruto called for dialogue and restraint, while the presidents of Mozambique, Zambia, Burundi, and Somalia attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dodoma. President Samia, who first assumed power in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, now faces her toughest political test yet restoring public trust and stability in a country long viewed as one of East Africa’s most stable democracies.
