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DODOMA – Monday saw the inauguration of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan in a ceremony that was exclusively attended by invited guests. This event followed a contentious election, which led to violent protests after the disqualification of two prominent opposition candidates.
Departing from tradition, the inauguration took place on government premises in Dodoma, the administrative capital, rather than in public stadiums filled with spectators, as was customary in the past.
In Dar es Salaam, the commercial hub of the country, tensions remained palpable after three days of election-related unrest. The usually bustling streets were eerily quiet, with gas stations and grocery stores shuttered, and many government employees continuing to work remotely. Similarly, residents in Dodoma largely stayed indoors.
The October 29 election was overshadowed by violence as protesters flooded the streets of major cities, attempting to halt the vote counting process. The military was called in to assist police in dispersing the riots. Internet services were sporadic, causing disruptions in travel and daily activities across the East African nation.
As demonstrations spread nationwide, the government decided to delay the reopening of universities, initially scheduled for November 3.
Tanzanian authorities have not said how many people were killed or injured in the violence. A spokesman for the U.N. human rights office, Seif Magango, on Friday told a U.N. briefing in Geneva by video from Kenya that there were credible reports of 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam and Shinyanga and Morogoro towns.
The election results were rejected by the main opposition party, Chadema.
“These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania,” the party’s statement read in part.
Chadema party leader Tundu Lissu has been imprisoned for several months after being charged with treason for calling for electoral reforms that he said were necessary for a free and fair vote. Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party, was barred from running.
The presidents of Mozambique, Zambia, Burundi, and Somalia attended the swearing-in on Monday.
Kenya’s President William Ruto issued a statement on Monday urging Tanzanians to maintain peace and calling for dialogue among stakeholders to maintain national stability. Ruto did not travel to Dodoma on Monday and was represented by his vice president.
The election violence in Tanzania led to a closure of the border crossing with Kenya at Namanga, where agricultural goods in trucks have been rotting for six days.
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