DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has defended the government’s forceful response to protests that erupted during Tanzania’s October 29 general election, insisting security agencies acted appropriately to prevent what she described as attempts to destabilise the country.
Speaking at an event in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, Suluhu dismissed accusations of excessive force, arguing that the security situation at the time required firm action.
“When we are told that excessive force was used… were we supposed to simply watch demonstrators attempting to overthrow the government?” she asked.
She claimed that some protesters had targeted police stations and private businesses, saying such actions posed serious security risks.
“By invading a police station, what are you looking for? It is to take weapons, and once they have them, what happens?” she added.
Human rights organisations and opposition groups allege that more than 1,000 people were killed during three days of post-election unrest — a figure the government has neither confirmed nor denied. Fresh nationwide protests have been called for December 9, escalating tensions in the country.
Suluhu suggested that Tanzania’s response drew from experiences in neighbouring countries that have recently faced violent unrest, saying regional patterns informed the government’s security strategy.
The President also criticised the European Union, which last week voted to suspend aid to Tanzania over reported election-related violence.
“They still think they are our masters; they are our former colonisers,” she said, accusing the bloc of interfering in Tanzania’s internal affairs.
Suluhu further defended her 97 per cent victory, saying the figure reflected valid votes cast on election day and not the wider population. She attributed the overwhelming margin partly to the withdrawal of key opposition candidates in the weeks leading up to the polls.
“Those who would have challenged Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) were not on the ballot,” she noted, adding that opposition leaders were not barred from participating but “chose to withdraw.”
She said the absence of major opposition parties, including Chadema, influenced the outcome as many of their supporters ultimately voted for CCM.
Her remarks come amid an intensifying national debate over the credibility of the election and the legitimacy of the landslide result, with critics continuing to raise concerns both online and in public spaces.
