Tanzania launches election campaign but opposition excluded

A supporter of Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party holds a banner bearing the portrait of President Samia Suluhu Hassan during a rally to officially launch the party’s campaign in Dar es Salaam on August 28, 2025, ahead of the Tanzanian general election. (Photo by Ericky Boniphace / AFP)

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan opened campaigning on Thursday for elections in October, which come as key challengers have been locked up or prevented from running.

Hassan came to power without being directly elected after taking over from John Magufuli when he died in March 2021, and she has taken no chances in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary votes.