A U.S. senator has accused Tanzania’s ruling party of orchestrating a fraudulent election that allegedly cost hundreds of lives and called for Washington to reconsider its relationship with the East African nation.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to condemn the re-election of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, describing the vote as “fraudulent and dangerous to democracy.”
Shaheen criticized the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, accusing it of “endangering the safety of citizens and tourists” during the tense election period. She warned that the credibility of the Tanzanian government was now “deeply compromised” in the eyes of the international community.
“Tanzania’s ruling party has endangered the safety of its citizens and tourists,” she wrote. “After these fraudulent elections, the U.S.-Tanzania relationship must be reviewed.”
Her statement comes after Tanzania’s opposition party, CHADEMA, claimed that over 700 people were killed during post-election protests. The party also accused the police of hiding evidence by collecting the bodies of victims to prevent accountability.
Despite widespread outrage, Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared President Hassan the winner, announcing she had secured 98 percent of the vote — a result that opposition leaders and observers say was manipulated.
The swearing-in ceremony took place Monday at the State House in Dodoma under heavy military and police presence, reflecting growing unrest and fear across the nation.
Opposition groups have vowed not to recognize Hassan’s presidency, calling the process “a vote coup against Tanzanians.” They have also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations into the alleged killings and human rights abuses during and after the election.
Several international organizations and governments, including Amnesty International, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the European Union, and diplomatic missions from Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, have expressed grave concern over the election’s credibility and the reported crackdown on dissent.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission also criticized the poll, stating it failed to meet international standards for a free and fair election.
President Hassan, who rose to power in 2021 after the death of former President John Magufuli, now faces growing global pressure as calls for sanctions and diplomatic reviews intensify.
