President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday was sworn in for a second term in office at a military base in Dodoma with Tanzanians barred from the swearing-in ceremony.
Though declared to have won 98 per cent of votes in a controversial election marred with violence, “large number of” deaths, internet shutdown, Ms Hassan’s swearing-in was held in State House in the capital Dodoma, a departure from the fun fair past ceremonies held at the stadium.
Ms Hassan, who assumed power in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, was adjusted winner of the election major opposition candidates, Tundu Lissu, of CHADEMA party and Luhaga Mpina of the Alliance for Change and Transparency were barred from.
Monday swearing-in followed turbulent election week characterised by protests and brutal police clampdown across Tanzania.
Despite internet shutdown, footage of protesters destroying Mrs Hassan’s posters were circulated on social media, while the opposition CHADEMA party said over 700 people were killed by police during the protests.
Vowing not to recognise Ms Hassan as president, CHADEMA in a statement on Sunday, accused the police of collecting bodies of those killed during the protests to erase evidence, calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate the killings.
The EU, UK, Canadian and Norwegian missions in Tanzania expressed concerns about the violent crisis.
Amnesty International also said Tanzania’s authorities “have intensified the use of repressive laws to silence dissent, targeting journalists, civil society, human rights defenders, and opposition voices”.
