Overview
- Election authorities certified President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s victory at about 98%, and she took the oath for a second term on November 3 at a tightly controlled ceremony in Dodoma.
- The government restored portions of internet access after nearly six days and sent text alerts threatening treason charges for sharing images deemed to cause panic, as curfews and security deployments eased in major cities.
- Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reported use of tear gas and live ammunition against protesters, with casualty figures unverified and ranging from at least 10 cited by UN officials to claims in the hundreds or more by opposition and church sources.
- Authorities have not released an official death toll and deny excessive force, while the UN human rights office called for restraint, the release of those arbitrarily detained, and credible inquiries into election-related violence.
- SADC observers reported that many voters could not freely express their will and noted very low turnout despite an official claim of 87%, as the main opposition candidates were excluded and Chadema called for new elections.