Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has rejected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s landslide re-election victory, denouncing the results as “completely fabricated” amid mounting unrest and growing scrutiny over the credibility of the polls. The disputed election, marked by the exclusion of key opposition figures, allegations of voter suppression, and violent clashes, has deepened concerns about democratic backsliding in one of East Africa’s traditionally stable nations.
The vote, held last week, delivered an overwhelming win for President Hassan, extending her leadership beyond the term she inherited in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. The National Electoral Commission declared her victory with over 80 percent of the vote, while ruling party CCM candidates secured sweeping control in regional and parliamentary races.
However, CHADEMA and other opposition groups say the outcome was predetermined. The party’s leader, Freeman Mbowe, said in a statement that “no genuine election took place,” accusing the government of orchestrating a “systematic exclusion of dissent.” CHADEMA was itself barred from fielding candidates after refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct it described as “undemocratic” and “designed to legitimise fraud.”
The disputed vote has triggered widespread demonstrations across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza. The UN human rights office confirmed that at least 10 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, though CHADEMA claims the death toll is in the hundreds, a figure the government has dismissed as “grossly exaggerated.” Security forces have been deployed heavily across the country, and a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed.
Authorities have also restricted internet access, blocking social media platforms and slowing data services, a move rights groups say is intended to stifle communication and suppress evidence of abuses. The disruptions have had knock-on effects on business and travel, with reports of flight delays at Julius Nyerere International Airport and congestion at the Dar es Salaam port.
In her victory speech, President Hassan condemned the protests as “irresponsible” and “a threat to public order.” She defended the security crackdown, saying her government “will not tolerate actions that endanger peace and unity.” Hassan also urged citizens to “move forward together” and focus on rebuilding the economy, which has faced pressure from inflation, high youth unemployment, and the lingering effects of global supply shocks.
Observers say the election has cast a shadow over President Hassan’s earlier reformist image. When she assumed office in 2021, she was hailed for reopening political space, lifting bans on opposition rallies, and engaging in dialogue with rivals — a sharp departure from the authoritarian style of the Magufuli era. However, critics argue that the recent election marks a reversal of those gains, reflecting the ruling party’s determination to maintain its decades-long dominance.
The East African Community (EAC) and African Union (AU) have called for calm and urged both sides to engage in dialogue, though neither has directly questioned the legitimacy of the results. Western governments have expressed “serious concern” over reports of violence and restrictions on civic freedoms. Analysts warn that the crisis could erode Tanzania’s reputation as a bastion of stability in a volatile region, particularly given its growing importance as a logistics hub and natural gas exporter.
Economically, the unrest poses significant risks. Tanzania’s ports and road corridors serve as vital trade arteries for landlocked neighbours such as Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. Any prolonged disruption could have regional spillover effects, disrupting supply chains and weakening investor confidence at a time when the government is courting foreign investment in energy and infrastructure.
Domestically, CHADEMA has vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations until the results are annulled and new elections are held under what it calls “a truly independent electoral commission.” The government, however, appears determined to press ahead, with Interior Minister Hamad Masauni warning that “those who defy the curfew or incite unrest will face the full weight of the law.”
For many Tanzanians, the unfolding crisis evokes memories of past electoral tensions, particularly the 2020 polls under Magufuli, which were similarly criticised for repression and lack of transparency. Yet the current unrest appears broader and more coordinated, reflecting deep frustration with political exclusion and economic hardship.
As tensions persist, the situation remains fluid. The question now is whether President Hassan will seek to restore her reform credentials through dialogue and compromise — or consolidate her power further under the banner of security and national stability. Either path will have lasting implications for Tanzania’s democracy, its economy, and its place in a region where the balance between order and openness remains fragile.
