Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term after a tense election that sparked deadly protests and widespread unrest across the country.

The swearing-in took place on Monday, November 3 2025, at a military parade ground in Dodoma, under heavy security and without public attendance. The event was broadcast live on state television and attended by regional leaders, including Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Samia took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice George Masaju, pledging to serve all Tanzanians. The electoral commission declared her winner with 98 percent of the vote, though opposition parties dismissed the results as unreal and called for a repeat election.

In her speech, President Samia called for calm and unity, saying the recent violence did not reflect the character of Tanzanians.

“We are all pained by the loss of lives and destruction of property. What happened does not represent the true image of Tanzania. Starting today, life must return to normal. Unrest brings no gain to anyone. Let us value peace, unity and stability,” she said.

She also cautioned those behind the violence, adding that some of those arrested were foreigners. “It did not surprise us to learn that some of the youth arrested came from outside the country,” she said, directing security agencies to ensure peace and order are restored.

President Samia, who first rose to power in 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli, faces a divided nation and an economy under strain. The weeks leading up to her swearing in saw food and fuel shortages, internet blackouts and curfews in several towns.

In her message to citizens, she urged dialogue over confrontation saying, “Protests and violence only cause pain. We must choose wisdom, love and patience.”

Zambian President Hichilema, speaking at the ceremony said dialogue remains the best path to resolving political differences.