Samia Suluhu Hassan sworn in as president after unrest

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is soon to be sworn in for a second term after an election marred by violent protests and dismissed by the opposition as a sham.

The opening ceremony took place at a military parade in the capital Dodoma in an event closed to the public but broadcast live by state broadcaster TBC.

Samia was declared the winner on Saturday with 98% of the vote. She faced little opposition with key rival candidates either jailed or barred from running.

International observers expressed concern about the transparency of the election and the effects of the violence, with hundreds of people reported killed and injured.

Authorities tried to play down the scale of the violence. It was difficult to get information from the country or verify the death toll amid a nationwide internet blackout after election day

In his victory speech, Samia said the election was “free and democratic” and described the protesters as “unpatriotic”.

Opposition leaders and activists say hundreds have been killed in clashes with security forces. The opposition Chadema party told AFP it had recorded “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday, while a diplomatic source in Tanzania told the BBC there was credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.

The UN human rights office earlier said there were credible reports of at least 10 deaths in three cities.