Tanzania's Hassan sworn in after contested election, internet blackout

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in Monday in the capital Dodoma after an October 29 election that authorities said she won with roughly 97 to 98 percent of the vote, a result that followed days of violent protests, an internet blackout and the barring or detention of major opposition figures. The inauguration, held on government grounds without a public stadium audience, took place as parts of the country began to reopen under a restored but restricted internet connection and a lifted curfew.

Electoral authorities announced the lopsided victory and reported high turnout. Opposition parties and regional observers rejected the process, saying the vote lacked genuine competition after the main challengers were prevented from running. Observers from the Southern African Development Community said in a statement that in most areas voters could not express their democratic will. The main opposition party has described the election as a sham and called for a fresh vote.

The vote sparked widespread unrest as demonstrators in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and other cities protested the exclusion of principal opposition parties and sought to halt vote counting. Security forces...