Dodoma, Tanzania — President Samia Hassan has been sworn in for a second term in office following an election that was rejected by the opposition as a sham and marred by days of violent protests.
The inauguration ceremony was held at a military parade grounds in the capital, Dodoma, in an event closed to the public but broadcast live on state television (TBC). President Hassan was declared the winner on Saturday after securing 98% of the vote, having faced little challenge after key opposition candidates were either imprisoned or barred from standing.
Violence and International Concerns
The election and its aftermath have drawn sharp criticism from international observers, who have raised serious concerns about the poll’s transparency and the ensuing violence.
- Opposition Claims: The main opposition party, Chadema, told the AFP news agency it had recorded “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday in clashes with security forces.
- Diplomatic Sources: A diplomatic source in Tanzania told the BBC there was credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.
- UN Report: The UN human rights office earlier confirmed it had received credible reports of at least 10 deaths across three cities.
The authorities have sought to downplay the scale of the violence, but verification remains extremely difficult. A nationwide internet shutdown has been in place since election day, severely limiting the flow of information from the country.
In her victory speech, President Hassan described the poll as “free and democratic” and characterised the protesters as “unpatriotic.”
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