By Ireti Asemota.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, staunchly defended the lethal response to post-election violence, insisting security forces’ use of force was “necessary” to thwart an alleged attempt to topple her regime. In a fiery speech in Dar es Salaam, Hassan dismissed international criticism as “colonial” meddling, amid reports of over 1,000 deaths during three days of unrest following the October 29 election she won with a staggering 98% of the vote. Opposition parties and human rights groups, however, accuse her government of orchestrating a rigged vote and a brutal suppression that included mass graves and an information blackout.
Hassan’s Unapologetic Defense: “Colonial Masters Still Think They Own Us”
Addressing a crowd in Tanzania’s commercial hub, Hassan rejected accusations of excessive force head-on: “The force that was used corresponds to the situation at hand… Were we supposed to simply watch that mob of demonstrators who were prepared to overthrow the government until they succeeded?”
She lashed out at the European Union Parliament’s November 18 vote to suspend €100 million in aid over the violence, branding it a relic of colonialism: “They still think they are our masters, they are our colonisers.” Hassan also claimed opposition leaders weren’t barred from the race but “refused to enter because they knew they would not succeed,” pointing to Chadema’s boycott of a new electoral code as self-sabotage. Her government has yet to release an official death toll, but opposition sources estimate 1,000+ killed in the October 29-31 chaos, with many bodies unreturned to families.
The Disputed Election: 98% Win Amid Opposition Crackdown
Hassan’s landslide—31.9 million votes (97.66% turnout)—came after her two main rivals were sidelined: Chadema’s Tundu Lissu jailed on treason charges (facing the death penalty) and ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina disqualified on technicalities. Only 16 fringe parties competed, ensuring Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)’s unchallenged grip since independence in 1961. Pre-vote abductions, acid attacks (like Chadema MP Ali Kibao’s murder), and internet blackouts fueled fears of fraud.
Post-Election Carnage: Protests Turn Deadly
October 29’s polls erupted into chaos—protesters torched polling stations, tore down Hassan’s posters, and clashed with police in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza. Police fired live rounds and tear gas, with CNN’s geolocated footage and audio forensics confirming shots into crowds—hundreds feared dead, per opposition and UN reports. Bodies vanished—alleged mass graves in Arusha, per Chadema. The Catholic Church condemned the “killings,” calling it a “direct assault on the body of Christ.”
International Backlash: Aid Cuts and Diplomatic Freeze
The EU’s €100 million aid suspension (November 18) prompted Hassan’s colonial jab; the UK, Canada, and Norway echoed with similar freezes, citing “credible reports of large-scale fatalities.” The UN Human Rights Council urged an inquiry; African Union observers decried the “atmosphere of intimidation.” Hassan’s November 14 inauguration barred public attendance amid curfews and blackouts.
X Storm: “Samia’s 98% Sham” Trends with 300K+ Posts
Outrage floods feeds—#TanzaniaElectionMassacre surges, with geolocated protest clips racking millions [post:0], [post:1]. Chadema cries “genocide” [post:2]; netizens: “98% win? North Korea called—wants its playbook back” [post:3]. Hassan’s speech draws fire: “Colonial? You’re the dictator, Samia” [post:4]. Diaspora: “UN, act—1,000 dead isn’t ‘unrest'” [post:5]. One viral: “From reforms to rifles—Suluhu’s true face” [post:6].
Hassan’s grip tightens, but cracks show—December 9 protests loom. Election theft or existential threat? Tanzania teeters. Your view? Drop below. 🗳️🔥 #TanzaniaProtests #SamiaSuluhu #ElectionMassacre
