The streets of Dar es Salaam were alive with two emotions, triumph and defiance. As the National Electoral Commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had won 98% of the vote, supporters of the ruling party erupted in celebration, waving green and yellow flags under the glare of streetlights. But just blocks away, angry protesters filled the roads, chanting against what they called a “stolen election.” The sound of sirens mixed with the roar of voices demanding justice.
For many, it felt less like a celebration of democracy and more like the closing act of a tense political drama. President Suluhu, dressed in her signature headscarf and calm smile, addressed the nation shortly after her victory was declared. She thanked citizens for their confidence and called for unity, describing the results as “a reflection of Tanzania’s peace, stability, and shared vision.” Her words, however, were met with disbelief among opposition ranks.
Opposition leaders accused the government of manipulating the vote, citing widespread reports of intimidation, ballot stuffing, and arrests of observers. “This is not democracy; its control dressed up as an election,” one opposition figure said in a brief statement before going into hiding.
In several regions, especially Arusha and Mwanza, demonstrations turned violent as police fired tear gas to disperse crowds. Dozens were arrested, and internet access was intermittently disrupted, cutting off live coverage of the unfolding chaos.
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International observers from the African Union and East African Community voiced concern over the credibility of the vote, noting that some of their missions were denied access to polling stations. Human rights organizations urged the government to avoid excessive force and protect freedom of assembly.
Despite the unrest, President Suluhu’s supporters see her overwhelming win as a mandate for continuity and progress. They praise her calm leadership style and her efforts to stabilize Tanzania’s economy after years of turbulence. “She’s the mother of the nation,” said one jubilant supporter in Dodoma. “We trust her completely.”
But for others, the 98% victory is a sign of something more troubling, a warning that Tanzania’s democracy may be slipping further into authoritarian control. “When one candidate wins almost every vote in a country this divided,” said a political analyst in Dar es Salaam, “it raises more questions than answers.”
As dawn breaks over Tanzania, the smell of smoke still lingers in the air. Some celebrate what they believe is a new chapter of progress, while others mourn the death of electoral integrity. Between these two realities stands President Samia Suluhu, a leader whose power has never been stronger, yet whose legitimacy has never been more contested. Tanzania watches, anxious and uncertain, as its future balances between unity and unrest.
