President Samia Suluhu Hassan was officially sworn in for a second term on Monday in a subdued ceremony held in Tanzania’s administrative capital, Dodoma, following a contested October 29 election that has ignited nationwide protests and drawn sharp condemnation from opposition parties and international observers.

The inauguration, stripped of the usual public fanfare and limited to invited dignitaries, took place under tight security as internet disruptions persisted and universities postponed reopening. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party claimed a sweeping victory with 97.66% of the vote, but opposition leaders, including Chadema’s Freeman Mbowe—currently under house arrest—have rejected the results, citing widespread violence, vote-count halts, and the imprisonment of key rival Tundu Lissu on treason charges.

At least 10 people were confirmed dead in post-election protests across major cities such as Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro, according to U.N. human rights spokesman Seif Magango. Military deployments have quelled demonstrations, but tensions remain high. The government has dismissed the unrest as isolated incidents, though the delay in university reopenings and shuttered businesses suggest broader unease.

The swearing-in ceremony was broadcast live and attended by regional leaders including Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye, and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Kenya’s President William Ruto was absent but sent Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, who called for peace and inclusive dialogue. Meanwhile, the Namanga border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania remains closed, stranding trucks and spoiling agricultural exports, further straining East African trade.

Hassan, Africa’s only female head of state since 2021, had pledged reforms following the authoritarian legacy of her predecessor John Magufuli. However, rights groups such as Amnesty International have accused her administration of backsliding, citing pre-election disappearances and killings.

International observers flagged irregularities in the electoral process, and both the U.S. and EU have called for independent investigations. As the ceremony concluded, Dar es Salaam remained eerily quiet, with gas stations closed and many workers staying home—a reflection of a nation grappling with political uncertainty and economic disruption.