Reports from opposition sources claimed that more than 700 people were killed during protests ahead of last Wednesday’s vote.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won a disputed election with more than 97 per cent of the vote, according to official results announced on Saturday. Her two main rivals were barred from contesting, leaving her largely unopposed.
In her victory speech, Ms Hassan said Tanzanians had voted overwhelmingly for a woman leader. “It’s time to unite our country and not destroy what we’ve built over more than six decades,” she said. “We will take all actions and involve all security agencies to ensure the country is peaceful.”
Ms Hassan first assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli.
Opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party remains in jail on treason charges, while Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was barred from running. Chadema dismissed the results, saying, “These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest over 700 deaths during pre-election protests.