Tanzania: John Magufuli sworn in after contested election win
Tanzania President John Magufuli was sworn in for the second time on Thursday after his contested landslide election win last month.
Soldiers and police officers ensured tight security at the ceremony amid calls from opposition groups for a fresh election and disbandment of the electoral commission following accusations of political expression and fraud. Magufuli insisted over the weekend that he will not seek a third term in power amid growing concerns the ruling CCM party might attempt to extend the current two-term limit.
Magufuli sworn in for second term
Magufuli won last month’s election with 85 percent of the total votes, prompting the country’s two main opposition groups – ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA – to call for new elections and peaceful protests. However, the two parties’ leaders were quickly arrested by police officers while heavy security forces were deployed, preventing any potential demonstration from taking place.
Several international countries, including the United States, acknowledged claims of voting irregularities that may have affected the outcome.
Magufuli’s ruling CCM party has held power in Tanzania since the country gained independence from Britain in 1961 although the party has reformed during this time. It has also retained power in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar with a 76 percent of the poll in the archipelago’s most recent election.
Featured image: “PM Narendra Modi with President of Tanzania, John Magufuli” flickr photo by narendramodiofficial https://flickr.com/photos/narendramodiofficial/28176596672 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license
