Tanzania President Hassan Wins Disputed Election With Over 97% Amid Violent Protests

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of a disputed presidential election with nearly 98% of the vote, securing another five-year term and extending the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi's long-standing hold on power. The election was marked by significant controversy, including the barring of key opposition candidates such as Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina, leading to claims that the election was more of a coronation than a competitive contest. Widespread protests erupted across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, with demonstrators clashing with police and security forces responding with teargas and live ammunition, resulting in an uncertain but significant number of casualties amid an internet shutdown. Rights groups and international observers have raised serious concerns over transparency, repression, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, with credible reports of at least 10 deaths and opposition claims of hundreds more. The United Nations and several countries have expressed concern over the violence and urged restraint and respect for human rights, while the Tanzanian government downplayed the scale of unrest. The unrest has led to measures such as curfews and the postponement of university reopenings as the nation grapples with the fallout of the election.