President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term in a ceremony held at a military parade ground in the capital.
The event took place under tight security and was not open to the public. It was broadcast live on state television.
Samia was declared the winner of the general election with 98% of the vote. Most major opposition candidates did not take part as Tundu Lissu is in detention on treason charges, which he denies, and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was excluded on legal grounds. Only sixteen smaller parties, without significant public support, appeared on the ballot.
The opposition party Chadema, which was barred from contesting, rejected the results and called for a new election. Election day saw very low activity at polling stations, though the electoral commission later reported 87% voter turnout.
Reports from rights groups, diplomatic sources and opposition figures indicate severe violence during and after the election. Security forces were deployed to stop demonstrations in several cities.
Opposition sources has shared that between 500 and 800 people were killed. The UN human rights office earlier confirmed at least 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Morogoro, while noting that the actual figures may be higher. There were also reports of enforced disappearances.
A nationwide internet shutdown began on election day, making it difficult to verify events, contact families, or share information. Some families have reported that relatives have been missing since the shutdown. Travel within the country has been disrupted, and several Kenyan nationals have not been located after entering Tanzania before the election.
Following the unrest, prices of food, fuel and basic goods have doubled or tripled in some areas. Schools and colleges remain closed, and public transport is limited.
Domestic flights were cancelled over the weekend, and international travellers were stranded at airports, including in Zanzibar, where passengers were unable to continue their journeys due to flight cancellations and a lack of internet service.
In her speech, Samia thanked the electoral commission for conducting the election and referred to the loss of life and property as damaging to the country’s image. She said some of those detained were not citizens and stated that security services were investigating.
A government spokesperson blamed the unrest on motorbike operators and foreign nationals said to have entered the country to cause disruption. Citizens were urged to report unfamiliar foreigners to authorities.
The situation has drawn international concern. The United Nations Secretary-General expressed concern about the situation in Tanzania and called for restraint. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Norway issued statements noting credible reports of deaths and injuries. Several countries advised their citizens to avoid travel to Tanzania.
The ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and its predecessor TANU, have governed the country since independence and have never lost a national election.
Samia first became president in 2021, following the death of President John Magufuli.
