AU decries loss of lives, voter apathy in Tanzania, says President Hassan’s re-election not credible

The mission highlighted loss of lives, internet shutdown, and voter apathy, among other factors that made the exercise below democratic standards.

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • November 5, 2025

Election in Tanzania [Credit: BBC]

The African Union Election Observation Mission stated on Wednesday that Tanzania’s election, held last week and won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was not credible.

The mission highlighted loss of lives, internet shutdown, and voter apathy, among other factors that made the exercise below democratic standards.

The African Union Election Observation Mission to Tanzania, headed by former president of the Republic of Botswana, Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, disclosed this in a preliminary report released on Wednesday.

“At this preliminary stage, the mission concludes that (a) the 2025 Tanzania general elections did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections,” the report said.

It added, “The environment surrounding the elections—before, during, and immediately after—was not conducive to peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes.”

Expressing regrets on the loss of lives following election day protests, the mission also lamented the internet shutdown, adding that “all polling stations observed exhibited low voter turnout, indicating voter apathy and disengagement from the electoral process.”

Mrs Hassan has faced intense criticisms from both local and international observers since the election that was held last week Wednesday sparked nationwide protests and bloodshed.

AU report echoes the stance of other local and international observers on the election, in which Mrs Hassan won 98 per cent of the votes, according to the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission.

The European Union, the Southern African Development Committee Electoral Observation, and the UK, Canadian, and Norwegian missions in Tanzania have respectively condemned “a large number of fatalities,” internet shutdown, disqualification of opposition candidates, and brutal crackdown on protesters during the election.

The CHADEMA opposition party, whose candidate, Tundu Lissu, was barred from the election, said about 700 people were killed during the election, vowing not to recognise Mrs Hassan as president.

However, Mrs Hassan, who assumed power after the death of former President John Magufuli in 2021, was sworn in to serve another five years on Monday.

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