Samia Suluhu sworn in as Tanzania’s President amid protests and disputed election
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for her first elected term following a controversial election that has drawn widespread criticism and sparked violent protests across the country. The ceremony took place in the capital, Dodoma, under tight security and limited attendance.
President Suluhu secured over 97 percent of the vote in the October 29 election, a result that opposition groups and international observers have questioned due to the disqualification of key opponents and reports of voter intimidation. Several opposition candidates were barred from contesting, leading many to describe the vote as one-sided.
The election aftermath has been marked by unrest in major cities, with security forces clashing with demonstrators who accuse the government of suppressing dissent. Internet blackouts were reported during the protests, and the United Nations confirmed at least ten deaths, though opposition groups claim the number is much higher.
Samia Suluhu, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, was initially praised for a more open and diplomatic leadership style. However, critics now say her administration has increasingly tightened control over political expression and media freedom.
Despite the tension, she pledged during her swearing-in to unite the country and focus on economic stability and national development. Many observers remain cautious, warning that the direction Tanzania takes under her renewed leadership will shape the country’s democratic future and its standing within the region.
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