What next for Suluhu? Tanzania’s President faces toughest test yet
In her speech after taking oath, Suluhu struck a tone of both sorrow and resolve
by Allan Kisia
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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu during her swearing-in ceremony in Dodoma/DPCS
After taking the oath of office amid controversy, Tanzanian
President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces the most difficult chapter of her
leadership.
Her re-election—marred by allegations of fraud,
intimidation, and deadly violence—has plunged Tanzania into political and
diplomatic uncertainty.
With reports suggesting that hundreds were killed during
post-election protests, Suluhu inherits not only a divided nation but also a
wary international community demanding accountability and reform.
Suluhu, 65, was sworn in before Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis
Juma, pledging to “protect and defend the Constitution and the unity of the
United Republic of Tanzania.”
The ceremony came just days after violent demonstrations
rocked major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, following her
declaration as the winner of the October 29 general election with an
overwhelming 97 per cent of the vote, according to the National Electoral Commission.
Opposition parties swiftly rejected the results, alleging
widespread irregularities and intimidation.
They accused state agencies of harassing poll monitors,
suppressing dissent, and shutting down media coverage. The scale of the unrest
that followed was unprecedented in Tanzania’s recent history, leaving a trail
of destruction, grief, and political bitterness.
In her first speech after being sworn in, Suluhu
struck a tone of both sorrow and resolve.
“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the consequences of
the destruction of peace, the loss of lives, and the damage to both public and
private property that occurred in some parts of the country, especially in
cities and towns,” she said.
She urged Tanzanians to reject violence and focus on
rebuilding national unity, describing peace as the country’s most valuable
asset.
“Our responsibility is to build our nation and make our
tomorrow better than our yesterday. Let us continue to uphold our ideology of
unity and solidarity,” she added.
However, behind her calls for calm lies a daunting
challenge.
Suluhu’s immediate priority will be to restore public trust
and bring the protests to an end.
Analysts say this will require a blend of firmness and
reconciliation—acknowledging the grievances of the opposition and the victims
of the crackdown while reassuring her supporters that the country remains
stable.
She has already instructed national, regional, and district
defense and security committees to restore normalcy.
But critics warn that stability cannot be achieved through
security measures alone.
Many observers believe Suluhu must open the political space,
lift restrictions on independent media, and allow civic freedoms to thrive if
she hopes to mend the national divide.
Political analysts suggest that the president could initiate
a national dialogue involving opposition leaders, faith-based organizations,
and civil society to chart a way forward.
“Tanzania cannot afford a return to business as usual,” one
governance expert noted.
“A credible truth-seeking and reconciliation process
would send a strong signal that the administration values accountability.”
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu during her swearing-in ceremony/DPCS
Beyond Tanzania’s borders, Suluhu faces a diplomatic
balancing act. The European Union, the United States, and several African partners
have voiced deep concern over the conduct of the polls and the violent
aftermath.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said Brussels
was “deeply concerned by the violence, the internet shutdown, and reports of
irregularities in the electoral process in certain areas.”
She urged Tanzanian authorities to exercise “maximum
restraint in order to preserve human lives.”
Regional bodies have echoed these concerns. The Southern
African Development Community (SADC) Election Observer Mission, led by former
Malawi Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya, concluded that the 2025 elections
“fell short of the requirements of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing
Democratic Elections (2021).”
While acknowledging that voting day was largely peaceful,
the mission reported that in many areas, voters were unable to freely express
their democratic will due to intimidation and restricted freedoms.
“SADC appeals for calm and urges Tanzanians to resolve
grievances through lawful channels,” Msowoya said during the mission’s briefing
in Dodoma.
Human rights groups have been even more critical. Amnesty
International condemned the post-election crackdown, citing reports of
killings, arbitrary arrests, and excessive use of force.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also alleged that police and
security forces shot protesters and bystanders, though it said it was still
verifying the extent of the violence.
These reports have placed Suluhu’s administration under
intense scrutiny.
Suluhu has however rejected calls for sweeping electoral
reforms, dismissing criticism from regional and international observer missions
as “external interference” in the country’s internal affairs.
“We thank all communities that brought election observers.
We have received their opinions with great respect,” she said.
“However, as President Mkapa said, when they praise us, we
receive that praise humbly. But when they give us instructions on what to do —
we reject those instructions.”
Suluhu added that her government would “consider constructive
advice” while upholding sovereignty and peace as non-negotiable national
principles.
Analysts say Suluhu’s diplomatic options are clear, though
not easy. She can adopt a strategy of engagement rather than defensiveness —
inviting international observers for post-election assessments, cooperating
with regional mediators such as the African Union (AU) or SADC, and committing
to governance reforms.
Such steps could help restore Tanzania’s global image and
reassure investors unnerved by political instability.
Alternatively, she could take a harder line, framing
international criticism as interference in domestic affairs — a stance that
might appeal to nationalist sentiments but would deepen the country’s
isolation.
Suluhu acknowledged messages of support from regional
leaders, including the presidents Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia) and Évariste
Ndayishimiye (Burundi), who attended the ceremony.
“In their speeches here today, the Presidents of Zambia and
Burundi have emphasised that internal unrest in a country is not good—it has
no price, no value, and brings no benefit to anyone,” Suluhu said. “Therefore,
my fellow citizens, I urge you all to cherish and maintain the peace, unity,
and stability of our nation.”
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