Tanzanian president urges military vigilance for peaceful elections

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday directed the army to ensure that the forthcoming elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

Addressing the Tanzania People's Defense Force army commanders in Tanzania's commercial hub of Dar es Salaam, Hassan said the army should be prepared for any challenges that may arise during the forthcoming elections.

Tanzania will hold local government elections later this year to elect leaders at the grassroots level, and the general election in October 2025 to elect the president, members of parliament, and councilors.

Hassan, who doubles as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, said since elections involved many political parties that harbored different intentions, it was only sensible for the military to remain vigilant.

However, Hassan noted her remarks didn't mean that the elections would indeed be chaotic, adding that it was during elections that the need to foster security became even more important.