Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term amid tight security and lingering political tension following last week’s disputed election.
The 65-year-old leader took the oath of office at the State House in Dodoma on Monday, in a low-key ceremony attended by senior government officials and invited guests. Ordinary citizens were barred from attending, and the internet remained shut down nationwide.
During the swearing-in ceremony, her deputy, Emmanuel Nchimbi, also took the oath of office.
The swearing-in comes days after protests erupted over what opposition groups described as a “stolen election.” The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from participating in the October 29 vote after its leader, Tundu Lissu, was detained. The electoral commission later declared Suluhu the winner with nearly 98 percent of the vote.
Opposition figures have rejected the results and demanded new elections, calling the process a “sham.” CHADEMA claims hundreds of protesters were killed by security forces, a figure the government has dismissed as “hugely exaggerated.” The United Nations human rights office, meanwhile, reported at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities, urging restraint and dialogue.
Authorities in Dar es Salaam have imposed a night-time curfew and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt public order will face arrest. “We will not allow chaos to destroy our country’s peace,” said regional commissioner Alfred Chalamila in a statement.
President Suluhu, a long-time member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, first assumed power in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli. She became Tanzania’s first female head of state and the first president born in Zanzibar.
Her political journey has spanned over two decades, beginning in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives, where she later served as a minister. She went on to join the National Assembly in 2010 and was appointed Minister of State for Union Affairs by then-President Jakaya Kikwete. In 2015, Magufuli chose her as his running mate, paving the way for her historic rise.
Suluhu’s second term begins under heavy scrutiny. Human rights groups have called on her government to lift internet restrictions, engage with the opposition, and ensure accountability for those killed during the unrest.
About the Author
