Tanzania on Edge: Protests Ignite After Controversial Election Solidifies President’s Rule
Violent protests have erupted across Tanzania following a presidential election overshadowed by an opposition boycott, an internet blackout, and widespread allegations of authoritarianism. President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a landslide victory after key rivals were jailed or disqualified, prompting citizens to denounce the election as a “coronation, not a contest.” The unrest highlights growing tensions as many Tanzanians question the legitimacy of the vote and call for political reform.
Protests have escalated in major cities like Dar es Salaam, with demonstrators denouncing the election as a sham. (Image: Reuters)
A Victory Without Contest
President Samia Suluhu Hassan's path to a second term was cleared long before polls opened on October 29. Her most formidable challenger, Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition party CHADEMA, has been jailed since April 2025 on treason charges, which he denies and which carry a potential death penalty. His party was subsequently barred from the election.
The only other significant contender, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, was disqualified on last-minute legal technicalities. This left Hassan to compete against only 16 fringe parties with little to no public support, leading EU lawmakers to label the election a "fraud." The result has been widespread voter apathy, with eyewitnesses reporting nearly empty polling stations in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
As the electoral commission began announcing results showing Hassan receiving nearly 95% of the vote in some provinces, public anger intensified. The predictable landslide has been viewed by many as confirmation that the election was a procedural ritual designed to legitimize an inevitable outcome. This has driven hundreds of demonstrators into the streets, who see the results as a blatant disregard for democratic principles.
An Escalating Crackdown
The election took place against a backdrop of what Amnesty International has called a "wave of terror." Human rights groups report a surge in enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings targeting opposition figures, activists, and journalists. UN experts have noted over 200 cases of enforced disappearance since 2019.
A high-profile case is that of Humphrey Polepole, a former ruling party insider and ambassador who became a vocal critic of Hassan. His family reported him abducted from his home in early October. This climate of fear has systematically dismantled opposition and silenced dissent.
On election day, a nationwide internet disruption was implemented, a move confirmed by the global monitor NetBlocks. Access to social media platforms was blocked, effectively cutting off communication and the flow of information. Despite this, some protesters reportedly used the walkie-talkie app Zello to coordinate. This digital blackout is seen as a deliberate attempt to suppress coverage of the protests and control the narrative.
Streets on Fire
Polling day and its aftermath were marked by violent clashes. Gunfire was heard in the northern city of Mwanza, while protests erupted in the capital, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam. Social media videos showed demonstrators throwing rocks at police and a petrol station in flames. Major roads, including the one to Dar es Salaam's international airport, were blocked, and the city was placed under heavy security.
Amnesty International reported that a civilian and a police officer were killed in the clashes, with many more injured. A night-time curfew was imposed in Dar es Salaam as tensions escalated.
The unrest has spilled across Tanzania's borders. Hundreds of demonstrators crossed into the Kenyan town of Namanga, barricading roads and lighting bonfires. Kenyan police reported that two people died while fleeing running battles with Tanzanian authorities.
Meanwhile, regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have faced sharp criticism for their muted response. Their observer missions described the election atmosphere as "calm and orderly," a stark contrast to widespread reports of violence and repression. Activists accuse these bodies of enabling Hassan's regime by failing to condemn the clear erosion of democracy.
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| Protests Ignite After Controversial Election Solidifies President’s Rule |
Frequently Asked Questions
The protests were triggered by the October 2025 general election, which is widely seen as fraudulent. The main opposition candidates were jailed or disqualified, leading to claims that the election was a "coronation" for President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Tundu Lissu is the leader of CHADEMA, Tanzania's main opposition party. He was President Hassan's most significant challenger but has been in jail since April 2025 facing a trial for treason, which he denies.
The election is considered unfair due to the lack of credible opposition, a nationwide internet shutdown on voting day, a climate of fear created by abductions and killings of critics, and the disqualification of major opposition parties.
The reaction has been divided. The European Union has condemned the election as a "fraud," and human rights groups have denounced the violence and repression. However, African regional bodies like the AU and SADC have been criticized for their silence and for describing the process as peaceful, despite evidence to the contrary.
David (Solar Sales)