Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s president was sworn in on Monday for a second term following an election overshadowed by violence, opposition arrests, and claims of fraud.

The ceremony, held under tight security in the capital Dodoma, took place at a military parade ground instead of a public stadium as in previous years. Access was restricted to invited guests and diplomats, with the public watching through state television.

Read also: Hassan wins Tanzania election with 98% of vote as unrest spreads

Hassan, wearing a red headscarf and dark glasses, took the oath of office before regional leaders including the presidents of Somalia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Burundi.

She was declared the winner over the weekend with 98 percent of the vote, in an election that saw her main challengers jailed or disqualified from contesting. Opposition parties have rejected the result, calling it a “political charade”.

In her speech, the 65-year-old leader praised the electoral commission for conducting the polls with what she called “unquestionable efficiency”. She expressed sorrow over the deadly unrest that followed, calling it a “blot on our nation’s image.”

“It is unfortunate that lives were lost and public property destroyed,” she said, adding that some of those arrested were “not Tanzanians,” a remark likely to inflame tensions with neighbouring countries.

Read also: Tanzania imposes curfew in Dar es Salaam as election day turns violent

Human rights groups say hundreds of people were killed in violent clashes between security forces and protesters after the vote. The opposition Chadema party told AFP it had documented “no less than 800” deaths, while diplomatic sources cited by the BBC put the figure at around 500. The United Nations human rights office earlier reported at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities, warning of “credible evidence” of widespread abuses.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation, urging restraint and respect for human rights.

Read also:Tanzania: Hassan set to win October 29 election on weak opposition 

Despite the global unease, Kenya’s president William Ruto congratulated Samia and urged Tanzanians to “uphold peace and the rule of law.” Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, hailed her “brilliant re-election.”

Hassan, Tanzania’s first female head of state, rose to power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli. Her second term begins under a cloud of political repression, as the country grapples with questions about democracy, security, and the future of opposition politics.