Source: Africa Publicity
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has issued a strongly worded statement directed at Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, expressing alarm over alleged violence and repression following the country’s disputed presidential election.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was inaugurated as President on Monday, November 3, 2025, at a ceremony held at a military parade ground in Dodoma.
She was declared winner of the controversial election, reportedly securing 98% of the votes. The opposition Chadema party has alleged that 700 demonstrators were killed during post-election protests, and that two of her main rivals were either jailed or barred from contesting.
In its statement, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation condemned the unfolding situation in the East African nation, saying: “Madame President, this is not acceptable.”
The Foundation added, “We are watching developments in Tanzania, with alarm and misgivings. The violence against the demonstrators is unacceptable.”
Recalling the optimism that greeted Hassan’s early presidency following the late John Magufuli’s authoritarian rule, the Foundation said it was “dismayed” by the government’s recent actions.
“After the authoritarian regime of your predecessor President Magufuli, we all welcomed you as a reformer President who believed and stood for democracy, rule of law and civil society, as you released political prisoners and offered space to the political opposition,” the statement read.
“We are therefore dismayed by the new turn taken, banning opposition parties from elections, shutting the internet, shooting at demonstrators, most of them your young people.”
The Foundation stated that “an election which excludes the opposition parties is neither fair or legitimate,” adding that “the anger in the street is understandable, and expected.”
Referencing remarks from its June conference in Marrakech, the Foundation reiterated that Africa’s development and investment prospects depend on peace and the rule of law.
“In our conference in Marrakech last June, we made the point that there could be no leveraging of Africa’s huge domestic resources, no calling for more private capital to invest in our continent, without peace, security and rule of law. We specifically raised the alarm over the growing political violence against opposition in the period leading to elections in Tanzania and Uganda, both resource-rich countries.”
Drawing parallels with ongoing instability elsewhere on the continent, the Foundation cautioned against further deterioration. “The sub-region is already a home for unspeakable violence and human tragedy in Sudan. One failed state is enough.”
