Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election has ignited widespread unrest after the main opposition party, CHADEMA, rejected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s overwhelming victory—accusing the government of sham elections, exclusion of main challengers, and orchestrating a violent crackdown during mass protests.
Opposition Claims Rigged Election and Violence
Official results handed Hassan over 97 percent of the vote, but CHADEMA, whose leader Tundu Lissu was arrested on treason charges in April and party was barred from the election, condemned the vote as “completely fabricated.” The opposition declared the results “have no basis in reality,” insisting the process was undemocratic, with both voting-day internet disruptions and widespread exclusion of opponents. Countrywide demonstrations erupted, with protesters tearing down banners of Hassan, setting government buildings on fire, and clashing with police. CHADEMA claimed hundreds were killed; the U.N. rights office confirmed at least 10 protest deaths in several cities.
Government and International Reaction
President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised her win as a victory for all Tanzanians and criticized the protesters as “unpatriotic,” vowing to use all security tools to restore order. Security forces responded aggressively, employing tear gas and live ammunition, and a nationwide curfew remains in effect. The government called opposition-reported casualties “greatly exaggerated” and dismissed foreign criticism of its human rights record. Meanwhile, the European Union and U.N. leaders condemned the electoral process as fraudulent and called for independent investigation into the violence.
Broader Implications
The episode marks a sharp setback for democratic governance in Tanzania, with opposition parties warning the unrest proves widespread rejection of the government’s legitimacy. While Hassan celebrated the country’s choice of a female leader, mounting international scrutiny and internal dissent pose serious questions about the direction of Tanzanian politics—and the willingness of citizens to accept the election’s outcome.