Clashes Follow Opposition Ban as President Samia Suluhu Hassan Poised for Re-election
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania —
Tanzanian authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, after violent clashes broke out during Wednesday’s general election, which observers say was overshadowed by the exclusion of key opposition candidates.
The curfew order, announced by Inspector General of Police Camillus Wambura, will remain in effect “until calm is fully restored.” Security forces have been deployed across major intersections and polling centers after crowds took to the streets protesting alleged irregularities and the disqualification of opposition contenders.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is widely expected to win reelection, has called for calm and urged citizens “to respect the democratic process and await official results.” Her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), remains dominant after the main opposition party, CHADEMA, and its leader Tundu Lissu were barred from participating earlier this year.
According to eyewitness accounts, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in several neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar City. Opposition activists claimed that several people were injured, though official casualty figures have not been confirmed.
The election was already controversial after Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission disqualified CHADEMA and the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) for refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, effectively leaving the CCM without major challengers.
International observers, including representatives from the African Union and the East African Community, reported isolated incidents of unrest and ballot delays but stopped short of declaring widespread fraud. Civil society groups, however, expressed concern that the absence of opposition voices could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome.
President Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female leader in 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli, has portrayed her campaign as one of continuity, national unity, and economic stability. Yet, critics argue that her government’s tightening control over political space and media freedom signals a drift toward authoritarianism.
Results from the presidential and parliamentary races are expected to be announced in the coming days.
