Leader of Tanzanian semi-autonomous region wins re-election
Hussein Ali Mwinyi has secured 74.8% of the vote, extending the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party’s dominance in Zanzibar
Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar has elected Hussein Ali Mwinyi to a second term in office as president, according to official results announced on Thursday night. The declaration comes amid escalating unrest in the country’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam over disputed general elections.
The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party candidate won 74.8 % of the vote, beating ten opposition contenders, figures published by the islands’ electoral commission ZEC show. His closest rival, Othman Masoud Othman, received 23.22%.
Zanzibar joined mainland Tanganyika in April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania, following their independence from Britain in 1963 and 1961, respectively. The CCM has been in power since the merger. The islands retain their own president, cabinet and House of Representatives, while union portfolios such as foreign affairs and defense are handled by the central government in Dodoma.
Mwinyi was first sworn in 2020 and has governed on a platform centered on tourism recovery, infrastructure upgrades and a “blue economy” push spanning seaweed, fisheries and marine services.
The opposition accused officials of “massive fraud” in Zanzibar’s results and said it would take action, AP reported.
Protests erupt in Tanzania, after all major Opposition Candidates were disqualified from the election or jailed.
The Government has blocked access to the internet.
In Dar es Salaam, protests have broken out as President Samia Suluhu Hassan seeks her first full mandate in Wednesday’s election. She took office in March 2021 to serve out the remainder of former President John Magufuli’s term following his death. Hassan’s two main rivals were barred from running, leaving 16 candidates from smaller parties widely seen as noncompetitive.
Large crowds clashed with police in Dar es Salaam on the third day of demonstrations on Friday, demanding the electoral authority stop announcing results, according to AP. The outlet said the youth were denouncing alleged harassment of opposition leaders, and several vehicles, a gas station and police stations were set ablaze.
The central government has imposed curfews, deployed the military and cut internet access in several areas. Amnesty International said two people, including one police officer, have been killed and several others injured due to “unlawful use of lethal force against protesters.” Dozens more were reportedly arrested.
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