The Silence and the Streets: A Crisis Unfolds in Tanzania After Disputed Election

As of today, Friday, October 31, 2025, Tanzania is gripped by a volatile standoff. Just two days after citizens went to the polls, the East African nation’s political landscape has been dramatically reshaped by widespread protests, the deployment of the military, and a nationwide internet blackout. The election, which was widely seen as a foregone conclusion for the ruling party, has instead ignited a dangerous new chapter of civil defiance.¹

Here is a look at the real-time situation on the ground and the context behind the deepening political crisis.

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The “Uncontested” Race: A Tainted Ballot

The October 29th general election was controversial long before the first ballot was cast.

The incumbent, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party—which has been in power since 1961—was expected to cruise to victory.² This predictability stemmed from the disqualification and harassment of candidates from the two largest opposition movements.³

• Tundu Lissu, the popular leader of the main opposition Chadema party, remains imprisoned on treason charges.⁴ His party was ultimately barred from the race.⁵
• The presidential candidate for the second-largest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina, was also disqualified on technicalities.⁶

Facing only 16 candidates from smaller, lesser-known parties, the CCM’s path to power was effectively unchallenged.⁷ This atmosphere of stifled political space led to warnings of mass voter apathy and a growing sentiment that the election was a “one-horse race,” an analysis that has now been tragically validated by the ensuing street protests.⁸

Chaos in the Commercial Capital: Protests and Curfew

The announcement of preliminary results—which showed President Hassan taking an expected, overwhelming early lead—acted as a flashpoint.⁹

For three consecutive days, hundreds of demonstrators have poured into the streets of Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital, and other regions across the country.¹⁰ The protesters are demanding the National Electoral Body halt the announcement of results, which they allege are marred by massive fraud.

The government’s response has been swift and severe:

1. Military Deployment: The Tanzanian army has been deployed across the country, setting up roadblocks and managing checkpoints.¹¹
2. Curfew and Closures: A curfew was imposed in Dar es Salaam, and the government has asked public servants to work from home and postponed the reopening of colleges and universities.¹²
3. Internet Blackout: A nationwide internet disruption has been reported by advocacy groups, severely limiting the ability of citizens to communicate or share information about the unrest in real-time.¹³
4. Casualties: Amid reports of chaos, which included the burning of vehicles and attacks on polling centers, Amnesty International reported that two people—a civilian and a police officer—have died during the protests.¹⁴ Unverified social media reports, however, suggest the casualty toll may be higher.

The unrest is not confined to the mainland. In the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, where the CCM also retained the presidency, the opposition has alleged “massive fraud,” though the island remains calm under a heavy military presence.

What’s Next for Tanzanian Democracy?

The international community has reacted with concern. Lawmakers from the European Parliament have issued a statement declaring that the elections were “neither free nor fair.” Human rights organizations are urgently calling for an investigation into the use of force against protesters.¹⁵

This situation marks a pivotal and dangerous moment for the East African nation. The polls were meant to solidify the rule of President Hassan, who took office in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor.¹⁶ Instead, the exclusion of the main opposition parties has backfired, transforming a political contest into a crisis of legitimacy.¹⁷

The confrontation is now a stark face-off: the entrenched power of Africa’s longest-ruling party against a frustrated generation willing to take to the streets. The deployment of the military and the silencing of communication channels underscore the high stakes. Until the protests subside or a political resolution is found, the future of democracy in Tanzania hangs precariously in the balance.