Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed concerns on Tuesday that her government might lose access to crucial international funding, which has been a lifeline for the nation. This warning comes in the wake of the most severe election violence in the country’s history. The October 29 elections were marred by three days of protests, with the opposition claiming over 2,000 fatalities and hundreds arrested on treason charges. Although some detainees were later released, the unrest has cast a shadow over Tanzania’s political stability. President Hassan, who secured over 97% of the vote after the exclusion of major opposition candidates, emphasized the need to seek internal funding. “We must utilize our God-given resources to sustain our development projects,” she stated. The violence saw youth vandalizing polling stations, police stations, and bus terminals, with the military deployed to quell the chaos. Despite a return to calm following Hassan’s inauguration and her pledge to restore peace, the political climate remains tense. A Commonwealth delegation, led by Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, is set to engage with Tanzanian officials, political representatives, and civil society to address the situation. Tanzania, long considered peaceful despite allegations of repression, now faces a critical juncture in its political and economic trajectory.
Tanzania’s leader says election violence could hurt access to international funding
