Tanzania's President Hassan Wins Landslide Election Amid Widespread Protests

Strategic Insights -

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has emerged victorious in a landslide election, winning 97.66 percent of the vote, but her victory has been marred by violent protests, widespread internet shutdown, and reports of hundreds of people killed by security forces. The main opposition party, Chadema, has accused Hassan of overseeing a "wave of terror" ahead of the election, including high-profile abductions and a crackdown on dissent. The country remains under a tight lockdown and curfew, with journalists unable to operate freely and news websites blocked.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Hassan won 97.66 percent of the vote in the landslide election, dominating every constituency.
  • The main opposition party, Chadema, was barred from participating in the election and its leader put on trial for treason.
  • Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed by security forces since protests broke out on election day, with a Chadema spokesman stating that "around 700" people had been killed.
  • Rights groups accuse President Hassan of overseeing a "wave of terror" ahead of the election, including a string of high-profile abductions.
  • The government has denied using "excessive force" in the crackdown, but a security source and diplomat in Dar es Salaam reported that deaths were "in the hundreds".
  • The internet has been shutdown, and news websites have not been updated since early Wednesday, while journalists are not allowed to operate freely in the country.
  • UN chief Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" about the situation in Tanzania, including reports of deaths and injuries during the demonstrations.
  • A security source and diplomat in Dar es Salaam both told AFP that deaths were "in the hundreds".
  • President Hassan has not made any public statement since the unrest began, but her government has blocked the internet and imposed a tight lockdown and curfew nationwide.

Statistics:

  • 97.66 percent of the vote: President Hassan's landslide election victory.
  • 700: estimated number of people killed by security forces, according to a Chadema spokesman.
  • Hundreds: reported deaths by security forces, according to a security source and diplomat in Dar es Salaam.
  • 1: the number of public statements made by President Hassan since the unrest began.
  • 1: the number of public statements made by the government on the use of excessive force, with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo stating that "no excessive force has been used".

Sources:

  • "Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan wins landslide election" (AFP, Sat Mar 09 2024).
  • "Tanzania election: Opposition parties barred, leader put on trial for treason" (AFP, Fri Mar 08 2024).
  • "UN chief 'deeply concerned' over Tanzania unrest" (AFP, Sat Mar 09 2024).
  • "Tanzania: President Hassan wins landslide election amid protests" (Al Jazeera, Fri Mar 08 2024).