Keypoints:
- Opposition barred or detained
- Amnesty warns of abuses
- Analysts cite party pressure
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan faces mounting scrutiny as Tanzania heads into Wednesday’s election, with accusations of political repression overshadowing her campaign for a strengthened mandate. The country’s first female leader, who assumed office unexpectedly in 2021, has overseen a political landscape in which opposition figures have been detained, barred from standing, or face ongoing legal threats.
A soft-spoken successor under strain
Hassan’s quiet orchestration of power stands in contrast to the late John Magufuli’s forceful political style. Elevated from relative obscurity, she became Tanzania’s president after announcing Magufuli’s death on national television, dressed in a black headscarf and delivering a calm message that immediately signalled change.
Her early months offered hope for a democratic reset. She reversed bans on opposition rallies and liberalised aspects of media regulation. Civil society groups cautiously welcomed what appeared to be a more open chapter in Tanzanian politics.
Those expectations have since faded. As the election draws nearer, opposition candidates report intimidation, police scrutiny, and obstacles to registration. Critics argue that this clampdown reflects the reassertion of centralised authority rather than democratic reform.
Human rights concerns intensify
Amnesty International has described a ‘wave of terror’, citing alleged enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings. Political analysts warn that these tactics threaten to erode public trust and silence dissent.
A former advisor to the president, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, suggested that Hassan views consolidation as necessary. ‘She sees this as necessary to cement her rule in a patriarchal society,’ the source said. They added that Magufuli, nicknamed ‘the Bulldozer’, had kept her on the margins of power and regarded her gender and Zanzibari background as weaknesses.
According to the advisor, Hassan inherited a political machine dominated by Magufuli loyalists controlling intelligence and security agencies. Attempts to limit her succession created early tensions and distrust within government.
‘She knew the government she inherited was deeply against her and deeply misogynist… so she could not trust anyone. There was a lot of paranoia,’ they added.
Zanzibar roots and rise
Born on January 27, 1960 in Zanzibar, Hassan emerged from a region historically shaped by spice trading and the Indian Ocean slave routes. Zanzibar’s merger with mainland Tanganyika in 1964 created the modern Tanzanian union.
Her father taught in local schools while her mother managed the household. Hassan has spoken openly about struggling academically in childhood. At 17, she took a clerical job in a government office before later pursuing higher education.
Her public service career advanced as a development officer within the Zanzibar government, followed by project management at the UN’s World Food Programme. In 2000, she entered the Zanzibar House of Representatives, where she served as a minister overseeing youth employment, women’s affairs, and later tourism and trade.
A decade later, she continued her rise on the mainland, winning a seat in the National Assembly. Then-president Jakaya Kikwete appointed her minister of state for union affairs, further strengthening her political footing.
Climbing through Chama Cha Mapinduzi
Within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Hassan developed a reputation for procedural discipline. John Magufuli selected her as his running mate for the 2015 election, and the pair secured re-election in 2020 in a contest criticised by observers for alleged irregularities and uneven political freedoms.
Despite her position, analysts suggest she operated at the periphery of Magufuli’s inner circle. Many believe her inclusion helped balance gender and regional optics rather than providing substantive influence.
A quest for legitimacy
Political analysts say the current crackdown reflects Hassan’s determination to prove her authority, both to the public and within CCM. Consolidating power means silencing potential challengers. With internal party factions still loyal to Magufuli’s legacy, signs of dissent are reportedly unwelcome.
‘Any dissent, internal or external, is seen as undermining that effort,’ an analyst told AFP.
Her supporters argue that she brings a more pragmatic style of governance focused on incremental progress. They also point to her remark in a 2020 speech: ‘I may look polite, and do not shout when speaking, but the most important thing is that everyone understands what I say and things get done as I say.’
As polls open, Tanzanians wait to see whether a renewed mandate leads to democratic reform or deeper political control. For now, scrutiny continues to build, and critics warn that the costs of silence may grow.
