Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has attributed last week’s deadly protests to foreign interference, following a contentious election that barred two key opposition candidates from challenging her re-election bid. In her inaugural address, Hassan acknowledged the loss of lives but claimed that those arrested were from other countries, without providing specifics. She pledged to unite the nation and urged security forces to restore normalcy. Her swearing-in ceremony, held in Dodoma, was notably subdued compared to her previous inauguration, reflecting the heightened tensions. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) criticized the October 29 election, stating it failed to meet democratic standards due to the exclusion of opposition candidates and delays in accrediting observers. The main opposition party, Chadema, rejected the results, calling them baseless. Meanwhile, internet restrictions persisted, disrupting daily life and economic activities. International leaders, including those from Mozambique, Zambia, Burundi, and Somalia, attended the ceremony, with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema urging Tanzanians to avoid violence. Kenyan President William Ruto called for dialogue to ensure stability, as the election violence disrupted cross-border trade, leaving agricultural goods to rot at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Tanzania’s president blames foreigners for deadly protests after disputed election
