Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has warned that the violence that followed the country’s disputed October election could undermine access to international funding.
Speaking while swearing in new government ministers on Tuesday, she said the unrest had damaged the country’s reputation and reduced its prospects of securing loans. She urged officials to focus more on generating revenue locally.
Tanzania remains heavily reliant on external financing, with aid accounting for about 23 per cent of government revenue in 2023, although this dependence has been gradually declining.
The election was marred by three days of confrontation between protesters and security forces after several of Hassan’s main challengers were excluded from the ballot.
Rights groups, opposition parties, and the United Nations say hundreds of people were likely killed in the clashes, though the government disputes these figures as exaggerated. Hundreds more were arrested and charged with treason, though the president later asked for some to be released.
Hassan was declared the winner with more than 97 per cent of the vote, and her new cabinet includes her daughter and son in law. African Union observers said the poll failed to meet international democratic standards, but the government rejected this assessment and insisted the election was fair.
Calm largely returned after Hassan was sworn in and promised to restore peace.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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