Tanzania’s president sworn in as opposition says hundreds killed in protests

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan played down days of bloody protest as she was inaugurated on Monday, despite the opposition warning that hundreds were killed.

The electoral commission said Hassan won 98 per cent of the vote.

The main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from running, has rejected the results. It has called for fresh elections, saying last Wednesday’s vote was a “sham”.

In her speech, Hassan called for “unity and solidarity” but also alleged that some of the young protesters came from “outside Tanzania”.

“Our defence and security agencies continue to investigate and examine in detail what happened,” she said, promising a return to normality as she addressed officials and foreign dignitaries in the capital Dodoma.

The ceremony was held in State House without the public, rather than in a stadium as usual.