Tanzania Elections 2025: What to Know About the Disputed Vote and Rising Unrest

The 2025 Tanzania elections have erupted into nationwide protests as the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) faces mounting allegations of manipulating the vote and silencing its rivals. The disputed poll has drawn international concern and cast a shadow over Tanzania’s long reputation for stability.

Held on October 29, 2025, the vote was expected to extend the rule of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has led the country since 2021. But rights groups and opposition figures say the election lacked fairness, claiming it was held under intimidation, with limited freedom of expression and opposition crackdowns in the lead-up to polling day.

Key Details About the Tanzania Elections 2025

President Hassan ran against 16 minor candidates after her two main challengers were sidelined. Tundu Lissu, the prominent leader of the Chadema opposition party, was jailed earlier this year on treason charges after calling for reforms. Another contender, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was disqualified by the electoral commission before nominations closed.

As results were being counted, protests broke out in major cities including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma. Security forces were deployed in large numbers, with armored vehicles patrolling streets and curfews imposed to quell unrest. Witnesses reported tear gas and sporadic gunfire as demonstrators clashed with police.

Internet access was restricted across the country during and after the vote, with major social media platforms temporarily blocked. Observers from rights groups and international monitors reported that these shutdowns further limited transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

Human rights organizations accused the government of harassment and intimidation, citing cases of journalists detained and activists missing in the days surrounding the election. The United Nations human rights office also raised alarm over reports of enforced disappearances since mid-2019, calling it part of a wider “pattern of repression.”

Regional Context and Political Impact

The unrest in Tanzania mirrors similar movements across East Africa, where young citizens are increasingly vocal against long-standing ruling elites. In Uganda, Bobi Wine’s People Power movement continues to challenge Yoweri Museveni’s decades-long rule. In Kenya, youth-driven protests against corruption and economic hardship have intensified. And in Madagascar earlier this month, widespread demonstrations forced President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.

However, Tanzania’s situation is unique. The CCM, which has ruled continuously since independence in 1961, remains deeply embedded in the state apparatus. Its extensive control over security, administration, and rural development gives it a strong political foundation, despite growing urban dissent.

President Hassan, Tanzania’s first female leader, rose to power following the sudden death of her predecessor John Magufuli. Her smooth succession had once been seen as proof of the nation’s political stability, but critics now argue that her administration has turned increasingly authoritarian—stifling dissent and tightening its hold on the media and opposition.

The Tanzania elections 2025 may mark a turning point for the nation. Whether the protests fade or evolve into a broader democracy movement will determine if CCM’s unbroken rule can withstand the pressure of a changing generation.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What triggered protests after the Tanzania elections 2025?

Protests erupted after opposition leaders were blocked from running, reports of voter intimidation surfaced, and the ruling party declared early victories before official tallies were complete.

Q2: Who were the key opposition figures excluded from the Tanzania elections 2025?

Tundu Lissu, leader of the Chadema party, and Luhaga Mpina, from ACT-Wazalendo, were both barred or jailed before the polls, leaving President Hassan with limited challengers.

Q3: How did the government respond to the unrest?

The government deployed military and police units, imposed curfews in key cities, and shut down internet access nationwide to suppress coordination among protesters.

Q4: Why is this election significant in Tanzania’s history?

It challenges the long-standing dominance of the CCM party, which has governed since independence, and could redefine the country’s democratic trajectory in East Africa.

Q5: What could happen next in Tanzania?

International observers may call for investigations or sanctions, while opposition groups are expected to continue peaceful demonstrations demanding new elections.