Source: Africa Publicity
The African Union (AU) has congratulated Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on her re-election but expressed deep concern over the deadly violence that followed the country’s disputed presidential polls.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said he “takes note of the results of the presidential election in Tanzania and congratulates H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her victory.”
President Samia, the leader of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), secured what the Electoral Commission described as a landslide victory, receiving over 31.9 million votes — or 97.66 percent of the total ballots cast. The Commission said voter turnout was about 87 percent of Tanzania’s 37.6 million registered voters.
However, the election has been marred by reports of violence and allegations of mass killings. The main opposition party, Chadema, alleged that around 700 people — mostly protesters — were killed during post-election demonstrations.
Speaking to AFP on Friday, October 31, 2025, Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka said: “As we speak, the number of deaths in [Dar-es-Salaam] is around 350 and there are more than 200 in Mwanza,” adding that “If we add the figures from other places in the country, we arrive at a total of around 700 deaths.”
The United Nations, however, reportedly stated it has “credible reports” that at least 10 people died.
Protests erupted across major Tanzanian cities on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, after what opposition groups described as “disputed and chaotic elections.” In Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial hub of more than seven million people, demonstrators clashed with security forces, setting fire to vehicles, a petrol station, and police stations. By Friday, protesters had squared off with police for a third consecutive day, demanding that the electoral body halt the announcement of results.
In his statement, AU Chairperson Youssouf said he “deeply regrets the loss of human life during the post-electoral protests and extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.” He underscored “the imperative of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and expression,” and urged the authorities “to safeguard these rights within the framework of the law.”
Youssouf also called on Tanzanian citizens “to exercise their rights in a peaceful and responsible manner,” while recalling the principles of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, “in particular respect for the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and political pluralism, which are the cornerstones of democratic and stable societies.”
Reaffirming the AU’s commitment to supporting Tanzania through this tense period, the statement concluded: “The African Union reaffirms its readiness to support the people and Government of Tanzania in their efforts to preserve peace, national cohesion, and democracy.”
