President Suluhu receives 21-gun salute during swearing-in ceremony
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday received a 21-gun salute in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Suluhu received the honour during her swearing-in ceremony following her re-election as President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The solemn state ceremony, held at the State House in Dodoma, marked the official commencement of Suluhu’s second term in office.
Top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and select guests, attended the event though the general public was barred from attending amid ongoing unrest in the country.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki represented President William Ruto at the event.
A 21-gun salute consisting of 21 ceremonial rounds fired in succession represents the highest form of military and state honour.
In Tanzanian military tradition, it is reserved exclusively for the Head of State or for visiting foreign leaders and distinguished dignitaries.
The gesture is a symbol of respect, dignity, and national pride, reflecting the President’s supreme command over the armed forces.
Suluhu, 65, took her oath of office before Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis Juma, pledging to “protect and defend the Constitution and the unity of the United Republic of Tanzania.”
Her swearing-in came under tense circumstances.
The ceremony followed days of violent protests across major cities, including Dar es Salaam and Arusha, after she was declared the winner of the October 29 election with an overwhelming 97 per cent of the vote, according to official tallies by the National Electoral Commission.
Opposition parties, however, have strongly rejected the results, alleging massive irregularities and intimidation.
The internet remained blocked nationwide as Suluhu took the oath, with security forces deployed in key towns to quell demonstrations.
The opposition party CHADEMA led by detained leader Tundu Lissu dismissed the election as a “sham,” calling for fresh polls under international supervision.
“The election was neither free nor fair,” the party said in a statement.
“What happened was an exercise in authoritarian consolidation, not democracy.”
Government officials have, however, defended the election as credible.
The electoral commission maintained that Suluhu’s victory reflected the will of Tanzanians, noting that voter turnout exceeded 80 per cent.
Following her swearing-in, the government announced a night curfew in Dar es Salaam, with Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila warning that “police will take action against anyone who seeks to disrupt the country’s peace.”
According to opposition figures, hundreds of people were killed during clashes with security forces in the post-election violence, a claim the government has denied, calling the reported death toll “hugely exaggerated.”
Suluhu’s second term will see her deputised by Emmanuel Nchimbi, a senior member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
In the months leading up to the election, Suluhu faced mounting criticism from international observers and human rights groups.
Opposition figures accused her government of manipulating electoral processes to sideline challengers.
In April, Lissu was arrested and charged with treason after calling for electoral reforms, while Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party was disqualified from contesting, effectively leaving Suluhu without serious competition.
