Samia sworn in amid legitimacy storm

By Newsflash Writer

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged to move the country forward following deadly protests that erupted after last week’s disputed election, as she was sworn in on Monday for her first full elected term.

The opposition claims the vote was rigged and that hundreds of people were killed in the unrest, but the government has dismissed the figures as exaggerated.

Samia, who first assumed office in 2021 after the death of former president John Magufuli, was declared the winner of Wednesday’s election with nearly 98 per cent of the vote.

Her two main challengers were disqualified before the polls.

At 65, Samia remains one of only two female heads of state in Africa. She took the oath of office at a military ceremony in Dodoma, attended by regional leaders from Somalia, Burundi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

“Life must continue,” she told the gathering, calling for national unity. “Our duty is to make today better than yesterday. I urge everyone to protect our values of peace, cooperation, and togetherness.”

President Samia condemned the post-election protests as violent and destructive, even as the UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 10 people had died in the clashes. The government insisted the opposition’s higher death toll was “hugely exaggerated” and defended the security forces’ response as “reasonable and necessary.”

While acknowledging the loss of lives, Samia did not specify how many people had died.

The main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), which was barred from participating after refusing to sign a code of conduct and whose leader was jailed on treason charges in April, denounced the election as a “fabrication.”

Election observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Tanzania is a member, reported that in many areas, voters were unable to freely express their will. The observers cited restrictions on the opposition and reports of ballot box stuffing in some polling stations.

The government and the National Electoral Commission have defended the process as transparent and credible, saying Samia won 31.9 million votes out of 37.7 million registered voters, far surpassing the 12.5 million votes Magufuli received in 2020.

Internet disruptions

Internet access, which the government restricted on election day, remained largely disrupted on Monday. While the protests have subsided, residents in Dar es Salaam reported a heavy military and police presence. Civil servants were again instructed to work from home amid lingering tension.

The African Union (AU) congratulated President Samia over the weekend but urged her administration to respect fundamental rights and freedoms.

Initially celebrated in 2021 for reversing Magufuli’s authoritarian policies and reopening political space, Samia has in recent months faced growing criticism from opposition leaders and rights activists. They accuse her government of stifling dissent through arrests, abductions, and intimidation of critics.

Political analysts say the unrest following the disputed vote marks the toughest test yet for Samia’s leadership. With Tanzania’s reputation for stability now under scrutiny, they warn that rebuilding public trust and international confidence will be crucial for her new term.

“Her biggest challenge is legitimacy,” said one political commentator. “If her government cannot convince Tanzanians and the international community that the election was credible, it risks isolating the country politically and economically.”

Tanzania, once hailed as one of East Africa’s most stable democracies, has seen its image shaken by allegations of electoral manipulation and repression. The violence has already prompted travel advisories from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which have warned citizens against visiting the country.

As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to how President Samia will reconcile a divided nation and restore investor confidence. Her administration faces the delicate task of balancing stability with political openness — a test that could define her presidency for years to come.