Tanzania’s long-standing political story took another chapter this weekend when President Samia Suluhu Hassan was officially declared the winner of the country’s October 29 2025 presidential election, securing approximately 97.66% of the vote and ushering in a second term for the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
But the win, far from being a quiet celebration, unfolded amid widespread protests, internet blackouts, and credible reports of violence that left many questioning the legitimacy of the outcome.
A Landslide Victory… or Something Else?
In a victory speech from the administrative capital of Dodoma, Hassan praised her security forces for maintaining order and thanked Tanzanians for what she described as a “free and democratic” election. Meanwhile, she referred to the protests as “unpatriotic incidents” that threatened national unity.
The Opposition Was Silent
Critics say this landslide didn’t reflect healthy competition. Two major opposition figures—Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina—were either imprisoned or barred from running, leaving Hassan’s challengers minimal and largely symbolic.
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In Tanzania’s semi-autonomous Zanzibar, which elected its own president simultaneously, CCM’s candidate also won with nearly 80% of the vote—again in a contest dismissed by opposition parties as “massive fraud.”
Protests, Curfews and a Shadowy Death Toll
Voting day and its aftermath saw major disturbances. In Dar es Salaam, protesters burned posters and clashed with police forces; an internet blackout affected several regions and a nationwide curfew was imposed to curb unrest.
The opposition claims as many as 700 people were killed during the unrest, though the UN and other observers say at least 10 deaths have been verified so far.
Such widescale suppression and communication clamp-downs mark Tanzania’s election as one of the more tumultuous in recent East African history.
Why This Matters Beyond Tanzania
- Democratic credibility at stake: The overwhelmingly large margin, absence of meaningful opposition and reports of crackdown raise concerns about whether the vote reflects a true choice or a political formality.
- Youth and protest: Many of the demonstrators were young Tanzanians frustrated by limited employment and muted political voice—a dynamic seen across Africa’s younger generation.
- African governance watch: Tanzania’s example resonates with other countries where incumbents seek to extend power amid rising civil-society pressure and global scrutiny.
What Comes Next
- President Hassan begins a fresh five-year term, but the question remains whether she will genuinely address calls for transparency, human-rights reform and inclusive governance—or deepen existing patterns of control.
- Opposition parties may appeal to regional bodies and international watchdogs to investigate alleged violence and electoral irregularities.
- Tanzanian civil society and the diaspora will be monitoring how internet freedom, protest rights and comparative youth opportunities evolve in the coming months.
