Tanzania's Hassan sworn in for new term as opposition says hundreds killed in election protests

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn into office on Monday for her first elected term after winning a landslide victory in an election that set off deadly protests across the country.

Hassan, who came to power in 2021 following the death in office of her predecessor, was declared the winner of last week's election with 97.66 percent of the vote.

Wearing a red head scarf and dark glasses, she took the oath of office at a ceremony on a military base in the administrative capital Dodoma.

Earlier the State national broadcaster said the public would not attend the event.

Hassan, 65, ran against only candidates from minor parties after her main challengers from the two biggest opposition parties were disqualified from the race.

Violent protests erupted during last Wednesday's voting, with some demonstrators setting fire to government buildings and police firing tear gas and gunshots, according to witnesses. As Hassan was inaugurated on Monday an internet blackout was still in place.

The main opposition party said hundreds of people had been killed in the protests, while the UN human rights office said credible reports indicated at least 10 people were killed in three cities.

Read moreAt least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says

The government dismissed the opposition's death toll as "hugely exaggerated". Casualty figures could not be immediately verified.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)