Dodoma, Tanzania –
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in on Monday during a restricted ceremony in the administrative capital, following a disputed election that triggered deadly protests and accusations of vote suppression.
Unlike previous inaugurations held in open stadiums, Monday’s event took place on government-owned grounds with attendance limited to invited guests only. The ceremony was attended by the presidents of Mozambique, Zambia, Burundi, and Somalia, while Kenya’s President William Ruto called for calm and dialogue through a statement from Nairobi.
Unrest and Internet Disruptions
Tension remains high in Dar es Salaam, where streets were nearly deserted after three days of protests over the October 29 election. Gas stations and grocery stores remained closed, and many government employees worked from home. Similar scenes were reported in Dodoma, where residents stayed indoors amid a heavy security presence.
The military was deployed to assist police in dispersing demonstrators, while internet connectivity across Tanzania was intermittent, disrupting communication and transport. The government has postponed the reopening of universities, previously scheduled for November 3.
According to the U.N. Human Rights Office, there are credible reports of at least 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro linked to the unrest. Tanzanian authorities have not released official casualty figures.
Opposition Rejects Results
The main opposition party, Chadema, has rejected the election outcome, declaring it fraudulent and calling for international scrutiny.
“These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania,” Chadema said in a statement.
Chadema leader Tundu Lissu remains imprisoned on treason charges following calls for electoral reform, while Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party was barred from running. Both exclusions have fueled public anger and drawn criticism from human rights observers.
The border crossing with Kenya at Namanga remains closed, leaving agricultural goods stranded for nearly a week as tensions spill over into regional trade.
Source: Adapted from Africanews
