Tanzania's Hassan declared landslide winner in election that triggered violent protests

"The landslide result announced by Tanzania's electoral commission hands Hassan, who took power in 2021 after the death in office of her predecessor, a five-year term to govern the east African country of 68 million people. At stake for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party was its decades-long grip on power amid the rise of charismatic opposition figures who hoped to lead the country toward political change. Still, a landslide victory is unheard of in the region."

"Demonstrators were angry about the electoral commission's exclusion of Hassan's two biggest challengers from the race and what they described as widespread repression. In April, Tundu Lissu, the vice-chair of the main opposition party, Chadema, was arrested and charged with treason and cybercrime offences. His party, which had led calls for a boycott of the election unless electoral systems were reformed, was later disqualified from participating."

Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared winner of Tanzania's disputed election with more than 97% of the vote and will begin a five-year term. The result entrenches the Chama Cha Mapinduzi's decades-long hold amid rising opposition figures. Rights groups and a UN panel reported patterns of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings, citing over 200 enforced disappearance cases since 2019. Protests during voting saw banners torn down, government buildings set alight and security forces using teargas and gunshots. Major opposition candidates were disqualified, including leader Tundu Lissu, leaving Hassan facing mostly minor-party opponents.

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