Africa-Press – Tanzania. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday defended the government’s response to protests during the October 29 general election, saying the use of force was necessary to maintain order amid unrest.
Addressing an event in Dar es Salaam, Suluhu said the security measures corresponded to the situation at the time.
“When we are told that excessive force was used…were we supposed to simply watch demonstrators attempting to overthrow the government?” she said.
Suluhu added that some protesters had targeted police stations and private businesses.
“By invading a police station, what are you looking for? It is to take weapons, and once they have them, what happens?” she asked.
She noted that similar incidents of unrest have occurred in neighbouring countries, suggesting that lessons were drawn from those experiences in shaping Tanzania’s response.
Human rights organisations and opposition groups have reported that more than 1,000 people were killed during three days of post-election protests, although the government has not officially confirmed the figure. Fresh protests have been called for December 9.
Suluhu also criticised the European Union following a parliamentary vote last week to suspend aid to Tanzania over the reported violence.
“They still think they are our masters; they are our former colonisers,” she said.
The President defended her 97 per cent win in the election, saying it reflected the valid votes cast on election day rather than the entire population.
She attributed the outcome in part to the withdrawal of key opposition candidates.
“Those who would have challenged Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) were not on the ballot,” she said, adding that opposition participants were not barred from running but chose to withdraw.
Suluhu said the absence of major opposition parties, including Chadema, contributed to the overwhelming margin, as many supporters of those parties ended up voting for CCM.
She said the result accurately reflected the votes cast and the organisation of her party during the election.
The remarks come amid ongoing debate in Tanzania over the scale of her victory, with some critics raising concerns on social media and in public forums.
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