When Tanzania headed to the polls on October 29, 2025, the world watched closely. The country, once celebrated for giving East Africa its first female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was now in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Allegations of democratic backsliding, opposition crackdowns, and state control over institutions cast a heavy shadow over the polls that were anything but ordinary.
President Suluhu’s path to re-election was virtually unchallenged after the main opposition party, Chadema, was barred from participating in the presidential and parliamentary races in April 2025. This came shortly after Chadema leader Tundu Lissu was arrested at a public rally for calling for electoral reforms and later charged with treason. With Lissu behind bars, other opposition leaders, including deputy chairperson John Heche, were also detained—moves the opposition described as deliberate efforts to silence dissent ahead of the vote.
What Happened in Tanzania After Election Day?
On election day, silence and uncertainty began to settle across Tanzania. The Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), the state-run broadcaster, aired minimal election updates before switching to light entertainment programming. Later, the broadcaster announced that Suluhu had secured a staggering 98% of the presidential vote.
Her swearing-in ceremony was held privately at the State House in Dodoma, far from the public eye and cameras, a stark contrast to past inaugurations held in packed stadiums. Citizens were barred from attending, and state media provided limited coverage.
By evening, chaos began to unfold in major cities. Authorities declared a curfew in Dar es Salaam following violent protests that erupted over alleged electoral irregularities. Jumanne Muliro, the city’s Special Zone Police Commander, announced that the curfew would start at 6:00 p.m. but did not specify when it would end. Military personnel were deployed to patrol the capital, signaling the government’s determination to control the unrest.
Adding to the tension, a nationwide internet blackout and power outages plunged Tanzania into darkness—both literally and figuratively. International journalists struggled to verify reports as communication lines went dead. Among the last verified online posts before the blackout was a tweet showing President Suluhu voting and proudly displaying the ink mark on her finger. Hours later, Tanzania’s connection to the outside world vanished.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) later reported that hundreds, possibly thousands, had been killed since protests broke out. The blackout and tight media restrictions made independent verification nearly impossible.
How Has the Global Community Responded?
Foreign governments and international organizations have expressed alarm at the situation. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a stark travel advisory warning citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Tanzania and to comply with local curfews. “There are shortages of food, fuel and cash, which have been compounded by the lack of internet services. There is also uncertainty around international transport options,” the UK advisory stated.
Kenyan music publicist Anyiko Woko, who was stranded in Dar es Salaam during the unrest, told the BBC that “many Tanzanians are unable to share their own stories and are stuck at home, or at their workplaces, with no essentials like food, water and connectivity.”
Flight operations were severely disrupted, with only three planes recorded in Tanzanian airspace at one point, according to Flight Radar data. Many flights were canceled, leaving airports eerily quiet and citizens unable to travel.
Meanwhile, the opposition Chadema party reported that around 700 people had died in the violence, a figure the media has not been able to verify.
The information vacuum has fueled misinformation across social media. With foreign media blocked and local journalists silenced, unverifiable videos and AI-generated images began circulating online, particularly from neighboring Kenya and Uganda. One viral video falsely claimed that President Suluhu had sought asylum in Uganda, which Citizen Digital later debunked as footage from her 2021 tour of Mwanza.
Calls for Peace and Accountability
As Tanzania grapples with this unprecedented crisis, international bodies are urging calm and dialogue. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf expressed “deep regret over the loss of human life during the post-electoral protests” and urged respect for the rule of law and political pluralism.
From the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV called for global prayers: “May we also #PrayTogether for #Tanzania, where, following the recent elections, violent clashes have broken out, leaving many victims. I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to follow the path of dialogue.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres echoed similar concerns, saying, “I call on all to exercise restraint, reject violence & engage in inclusive & constructive dialogue to prevent further escalation.”
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) also weighed in, with Malawi’s President Arthur Peter Mutharika urging all stakeholders to “exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that may further escalate violence and unrest.”
As Tanzania remains cut off from the world, its people face a grim uncertainty, struggling with shortages, silence, and the fear that their stories may never be told. The blackout has turned the nation into a ghostly silhouette, where truth flickers dimly, waiting to be seen once the lights return.
By Yockshard Enyendi
