President Samia Suluhu takes early election lead in Tanzania amid unrest
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan has an early but commanding lead in her bid for reelection. According to preliminary election returns released by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday, she has more than 90 percent of the votes counted so far.
Votes from eight constituencies have been tallied.
The announcement comes as the country grapples with a nationwide communications blackout. According to NetBlocks, a non-profit that monitors internet censorship, Tanzania experienced a nationwide internet disruption on election day that extended into Thursday. International calls were also restricted.
The disruption primarily targeted social media and messaging services, platforms that are crucial for independent monitoring, disseminating real-time election results, and organizing political activity.
The blackout followed a day of chaos and violence that marred Wednesday’s polls.
Election day clashes broke out between police and protesters in Dar es Salaam. According to AFP, demonstrators torched a police station, attacked several polling stations, and tore down images of the president. Authorities subsequently imposed a 6 p.m. curfew across the city.
On Thursday, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who returned to the streets in defiance of government warnings.
Government Spokesman Gerson Msigwa instructed public servants to work from home, except those whose duties required physical presence. He urged private sector employers to take similar precautions.
In the weeks leading up to the vote, authorities arrested several individuals, including social media influencer Jenifer Jovin, known online as Niffer, accusing her of inciting protests through satirical videos about selling face masks.
As tensions escalated, protesters turned their anger toward celebrities who publicly supported President Hassan. One group set an electronics store owned by rapper Bill Nass on fire. Others threatened to storm the homes of top musicians Diamond Platnumz and Ali Kiba.
Hassan, who rose to power in 2021 following the sudden death of President John Magufuli, now faces mounting domestic unrest and growing international concern. Several nations, including the United States, Israel and Canada, have issued travel advisories amid the deteriorating security situation.
