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President Samia Suluhu Hassan is the sixth president of the United Republic of Tanzania who assumed power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. At first, President Samia to mark a turning point in leadership, as Magufuli was often criticised for his authoritarianism. Samia, in comparison had been dubbed “Mama Samia”, being frequently praised for her warmth. She had managed to go as far as to restore Tanzania’s relationships with the IMF and World Bank, but the abductions and killings of government critics over the last two years have coloured the public’s perception of her. Instead, she now faces heavy blame for repression of opposition as demonstrated by the most recent Tanzanian election.
The largest opposition party, Chadema, was barred from partaking in the presidential and parliamentary elections after calling for electoral reform. Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason and the party’s deputy leader, John Hechhe, was arrested. The Electoral Commission has maintained its decision to disqualify the party from the election, leaving President Samia to compete with only smaller, less powerful parties.
The oppression has not stopped with the opposition. Humphrey Polepole, critic from within Samia’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and former ambassador, was abducted in October. This “pattern of repression” has alarmed a UN panel of human rights experts who cited more than 200 cases of enforced disappearances since 2019.
President Samia won the October elections with 97% of the vote, adding a further five years to her presidency. Destructive protests followed across Tanzania’s major cities and government buildings were set on fire and Samia’s banners were destroyed. Police responded with guns and teargas. Death tolls vary hugely with the UN saying hundreds were killed while African organisations allege over 3,000 deaths but either number reflects the tragedy of the protests. At least 240 more were charged with treason. President Samia has announced that she is launching an investigation into the unrest.
Repression and injustices linger in Tanzania. Prominent critics remain abducted, protesters killed, and the electoral win remains unanswered.
Edited by Isabel Whitburn
Image: Gospel Kitaa, ‘Samia Hululu Hassan‘, 2017 // CC BY-SA 2.0
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