Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the overwhelming winner of the country's contentious presidential election, securing a fresh term amid widespread opposition protests and violent clashes that have shaken the East African nation.
The National Electoral Commission announced Hassan had captured approximately 83% of the vote, a result her main challenger Tundu Lissu immediately denounced as "illegitimate" and "a constitutional coup."
Violence Erupts Across Major Cities
The election announcement triggered immediate unrest, with reports of violent protests erupting in several urban centres. Security forces responded with tear gas and live ammunition in some areas, though official casualty figures remain unclear.
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city, witnesses described chaotic scenes as demonstrators burned tyres and blocked major roads in defiance of the official results. Similar protests were reported in Mwanza and Arusha, traditional opposition strongholds.
Opposition Rejects Results
Tundu Lissu, representing the ACT Wazalendo party, told supporters the election process had been fundamentally compromised. "We categorically reject these fabricated results," he declared from an undisclosed location. "The will of the Tanzanian people has been stolen."
International election observers had previously raised concerns about irregularities in voter registration and restrictions on opposition campaigning, though Hassan's ruling CCM party dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
Hassan's Contested Legacy
President Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, had initially been praised for rolling back some of her predecessor's more authoritarian policies. However, critics argue her administration has increasingly resorted to similar tactics as election day approached.
The election outcome solidifies the CCM party's six-decade grip on power in Tanzania, though the violent response suggests significant segments of the population remain unconvinced by the official narrative of a peaceful democratic process.
As night fell across Tanzania, the nation remained tense, with security forces maintaining a heavy presence in major urban centres and internet disruptions reported in several regions.
