"Tanzania's Hassan Sweeps Election with 97% of Vote"

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan Secures Landslide Victory in Disputed Election Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the country's disputed election with more than 97% of the vote, according to official results announced early Saturday, in a rare landslide victory in the region. The outcome marks a significant extension of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party's decades-long grip on power, amid concerns over human rights abuses and opposition repression. Hassan appeared at an event in the administrative capital, Dodoma, to receive the winner's certificate from electoral authorities. In remarks afterward, she said the result showed Tanzanians voted overwhelmingly for a female leader. "It's time to unite our country and not destroy it," Hassan said, according to The Associated Press. The election, which took place on Wednesday, was marred by violent protests that erupted across the country earlier in the week. The outcome has been met with skepticism by opposition groups, who have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the election process. The electoral commission has maintained that the results are accurate and reflect the will of the Tanzanian people. Tanzania, an east African nation of 68 million people, has a long history of authoritarian rule. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has been in power since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1961. Hassan's landslide victory extends the party's grip on power, despite growing concerns over human rights abuses and opposition repression. The election was closely watched by international observers, who have raised concerns over the country's electoral process. The African Union and the European Union have both sent teams to monitor the election, but their findings have not been made public. Hassan's victory is seen as a significant milestone for women's representation in African politics. She is the first female president of Tanzania and the second female head of state in the region, following in the footsteps of Rwanda's President Pauline Ndayisaba. The outcome of the election has significant implications for the region. Tanzania is a key player in regional politics, and Hassan's leadership is likely to shape the country's foreign policy and economic development. The country's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and mining, and Hassan's government is likely to prioritize these sectors in its development agenda. As the country looks to the future, Hassan's government will face significant challenges. The country is struggling to address poverty and inequality, and the opposition has raised concerns over the government's handling of these issues. The government will also need to address growing concerns over human rights abuses and opposition repression. In a statement, the opposition party, Chadema, expressed its disappointment with the outcome of the election. "We reject the results of the election, which we believe were rigged in favor of the ruling party," said the party's spokesperson, Freeman Mbowe. The international community has called for calm and restraint in the wake of the election. The United States has expressed its concern over the election process, while the European Union has urged the government to respect the rights of opposition groups. As the country looks to the future, Hassan's government will need to address the concerns of the opposition and the international community. The outcome of the election is a significant milestone for the country, but it also raises important questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process and the future of democracy in Tanzania.