By Dayo Ade Olusola | November 1, 2025
Hundreds of people are feared dead in Tanzania following violent protests that erupted after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared winner of a disputed election, securing nearly 98% of the vote.
Police fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds as thousands of demonstrators filled the streets during and after Wednesday’s polls.
Protesters tore down campaign posters of the president and set several government buildings ablaze, denouncing what they called a “stolen election.”
Unrest Over Disqualified Opposition Candidates
Anger has been mounting since two of Hassan’s strongest challengers were barred from contesting, prompting widespread accusations of repression and electoral manipulation.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, said the vote amounted to a “coronation” rather than a democratic exercise. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, has been imprisoned for months on treason charges after calling for electoral reforms aimed at ensuring free and fair elections.
CHADEMA urged supporters to protest nationwide during the vote, leading to violent clashes in major cities.
Conflicting Death Toll Reports
The true scale of the casualties remains unclear. CHADEMA claims that hundreds of protesters have been killed since election day, while the United Nations reported at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities based on “credible sources.”
Tanzanian authorities have so far declined to release official figures, though witnesses describe scenes of chaos in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, where heavily armed security forces reportedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the UK, Canada, and Norway expressed concern over “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries as a result of the security response to protests.”
The Tanzanian government, however, dismissed the opposition’s figures as “hugely exaggerated” and defended its handling of the situation, insisting that the security forces acted “within the law.”
Election Commission Declares Landslide Victory
The Tanzanian Electoral Commission announced that President Hassan received 31.9 million votes, with a reported turnout of 87% of registered voters.
However, multiple observers and local journalists said turnout appeared far lower, with many polling stations disrupted or closed due to unrest.
Opposition activists accuse the commission of manipulating results and inflating participation figures to legitimize the outcome.
President Hassan Faces Mounting Criticism
Once hailed as a reformist when she took power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, President Hassan initially earned praise for easing restrictions on opposition groups and media.
But in recent years, her administration has faced growing accusations of authoritarian backsliding, marked by the arrests of opposition leaders, journalists, and human rights activists.
Human rights organizations have documented cases of forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, which the government denies. Hassan has previously said she ordered investigations into alleged abductions, but no official findings have been published.
Opposition Parties Sidelined
Only minor parties were allowed to challenge Hassan after CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo candidates were disqualified earlier this year. Both opposition groups accused the electoral body of bias, saying it worked under direct government influence.
The disqualification of key opposition leaders, combined with the imprisonment of Lissu, left many voters disillusioned and distrustful of the electoral process.
International Condemnation and Growing Pressure
Global reaction has been swift. The European Union, African Union, and United Nations have called for an independent investigation into the violence and the credibility of the election.
Western diplomats have warned that continued unrest could jeopardize Tanzania’s international partnerships and foreign aid agreements if the government fails to ensure transparency and accountability.
Despite the mounting criticism, President Hassan has stood by the official results, insisting the election was “free, fair, and peaceful” and blaming the opposition for “instigating chaos.”
A Country on Edge
Tanzania, long considered one of East Africa’s most stable nations, now faces its most severe political crisis in years.
Analysts say the post-election violence underscores deep-rooted frustration with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed since independence in 1961.
As calls grow for international mediation, opposition groups vow to continue peaceful protests until new elections are called — though the government has warned that any further unrest will be met with a “firm response.”
