Covering 945,087 square kilometers, it has a population of around 68 million. The country is known for its stunning natural attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, and the Zanzibar Archipelago among others, that continue to draw tourists and feature prominently in global media.
Recently, however, the focus has shifted to new developments, particularly surrounding Tanzania's 2025 elections held on October 29.
These elections, marred by protests, allegations of electoral irregularities, have brought significant political attention to the country, raising questions about its future direction.
Opposition groups argue that these protests led to hundreds of deaths and property damage.
Despite the unrest, Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the presidential election on Saturday, November 1, 2025, securing a landslide victory with 97.66% of the vote and more than 31.9 million ballots. Supported by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, her victory marked a new chapter for Tanzania.
She was sworn in on November 3 in a ceremony closed to the public, at a military base in Dodoma, a departure from the usual public inauguration.
This choice reflected the tense political climate and the government's desire to avoid further unrest. But what does this new phase under Suluhu's leadership mean for Tanzania's future?
In her address, she made an appeal for national unity, acknowledging the pain caused by the protests but urging Tanzanians to set aside their differences.
"We are saddened by the events of instability, loss of life, and destruction of public and private property... What happened does not reflect the Tanzanian identity," she remarked.
Suluhu emphasized that her election, despite its controversies, had a legal mandate backed by the Constitution of Tanzania.
"Assuming the responsibility of the presidency is a constitutional requirement," she said.
According to Article 41(7) of Tanzania's 1977 Constitution, once the Electoral Commission announces the election results, they are final, and no court is allowed to challenge the outcome.
This clause has been the subject of much debate, especially given the widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud.
Critics argue that the clause limits the freedom of Tanzanians to contest the election results, undermining their democratic rights.
However, Suluhu emphasized that the Constitution is not just a framework for governance but also a binding document that her government respects.
Suluhu also directly addressed the arrests of youths involved in the protests, signaling the government's resolve to maintain law and order.
'Our security forces continue to investigate and thoroughly examine what happened, and they will restore the country to the normal state we are accustomed to as quickly as possible,' she said.
'I also take this opportunity to give a warning to all those who encourage unrest. I urge those who instigate violence and unrest to cease, as it only leads to confrontation,' Suluhu added.
Suluhu also slammed foreign interference, noting that while Tanzania welcomes international observers, the country would not bow to external pressures on its internal matters.
"We thank all the organizations that sent election observers... but we have rejected directives to guide us on what to do," she declared.
Despite the challenges, Suluhu called on Tanzanians to move beyond the election's divisive aftermath, saying, "Our collective duty is to continue building our nation and making tomorrow better than today."
The Constitution's strict stipulation that election results cannot be challenged, despite allegations of irregularities, is a central issue that could shape Suluhu's tenure.
While her victory may be constitutionally valid, many Tanzanians, particularly those who participated in the protests, may feel that their grievances were dismissed by the legal system's inability to challenge the results.
This tension between constitutional law and the will of the people presents a significant challenge to Suluhu's efforts to build unity and trust.
As Tanzania moves forward, Suluhu's presidency will be defined by how she navigates these divisions.
Her call for peace and unity is a crucial step in rebuilding the country's fractured political landscape. Yet, as she embarks on her first full term, the nation remains at a crossroads.
Will the desire for stability give way to deeper reforms, or will the political fissures that led to the protests continue to haunt her leadership?
Suluhu's leadership, though constitutionally secured, will be tested not just by the laws she upholds, but by the nation's ability to reconcile its differences.
IGIHE
