Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan Declared President After Violent Protests

Strategic Insights -

Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the outright winner of the presidential election, securing 97.66% of the vote. The election was marred by violent protests, leaving at least 10 demonstrators dead and hundreds more injured. The opposition, including the Chadema party, had been excluded from the election, sparking widespread unrest. Hassan, who has been in office since 2021, has been accused of backtracking on her initial pledge to open up the country politically.

Key Takeaways:

  • Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the president of Tanzania, winning 97.66% of the vote in the presidential election.
  • The election was marred by violent protests, with at least 10 demonstrators killed and hundreds more injured.
  • The opposition, including the Chadema party, was excluded from the election, sparking widespread unrest and protests.
  • Internet services have been unavailable since unrest erupted on Wednesday, and phone services have been severely restricted.
  • Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Tanzanian security organs of detaining opposition figures, censorship, and intimidation.
  • Tundu Lissu, the head of the Chadema party, faces charges of incitement and treason.
  • Hassan's CCM party is expected to retain its parliamentary majority, having ruled the country since independence over 60 years ago.
  • Hassan initially pledged to open up the country politically, but is seen as having backtracked on this promise.
  • The election has sparked concerns about the country's democratic processes and the rights of opposition parties.

Statistics:

  • 97.66%: The percentage of the vote won by Samia Suluhu Hassan in the presidential election.
  • 10: The minimum number of demonstrators killed in the violent protests following the election.
  • 70 million: The estimated number of people living in Tanzania.
  • 2021: The year in which Hassan took office after the death of former president John Magufuli.
  • 60+: The number of years the CCM party has ruled Tanzania since independence.

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency
  • United Nations human rights office (OHCHR)
  • Amnesty International
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Tanzanian electoral commission