NAIROBI – Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan held telephone conversations with Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday, November 1, 2025, amid rising political tensions following Tanzania's general election held on Wednesday, October 29. The discussions, confirmed by diplomatic sources, focused on regional security and the electoral process as the country braced for the final presidential results.

The full details of the conversations, which took place as preliminary, unverified reports indicated a landslide victory for President Suluhu and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, remain confidential. However, the proactive engagement with her regional counterparts underscores the gravity of the situation in Tanzania, where opposition parties have alleged widespread irregularities and state-sponsored intimidation.

The pre-emptive diplomacy is seen as an attempt to manage regional fallout from an election that has been marred by controversy, including the disqualification of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), and the arrest of its leader, Tundu Lissu, months before the vote. Reports from Dar es Salaam and other urban centers describe a tense atmosphere, with protests erupting and security forces deployed in significant numbers. An internet shutdown has been in effect since election day, severely limiting the flow of information.

Kenya's Economic and Security Stakes

The stability of Tanzania is of critical strategic importance to Kenya. As one of Kenya's largest trading partners within the East African Community (EAC), any political instability threatens significant economic interests. In 2023, Kenyan exports to Tanzania were valued at approximately $451 million (KSh 60 billion), with key products including soap, packaged medicaments, and iron goods. Conversely, Tanzania's exports to Kenya amounted to $334 million (KSh 44.5 billion). Hundreds of Kenyan companies have invested over USD 1.7 billion in Tanzania, creating more than 56,000 jobs, highlighting the deep economic integration between the two nations.

Nairobi is watching the developments closely, concerned that prolonged instability could disrupt cross-border trade, supply chains, and investor confidence. President Ruto, who is the current chairman of the EAC, has positioned himself as a key figure in regional conflict resolution, and his engagement with President Suluhu is consistent with this foreign policy approach.

Opposition Cries Foul, Observers Silent

Tanzania's main opposition figures have forcefully rejected the electoral process. Before being barred from the election, Chadema had campaigned on a platform of electoral reform, calling for a truly independent electoral commission. Opposition parties have accused the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of lacking independence, as its commissioners are appointed by the president. These long-standing concerns have fueled the current crisis.

The main opposition party, Chadema, has reported that clashes between protesters and security forces have resulted in hundreds of deaths, a figure that remains unconfirmed by independent sources. Human rights groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), have called on the AU and EAC to refuse recognition of any election that does not meet democratic standards.

International and regional observer missions, including a 67-member team from the EAC deployed on October 24, have yet to release their comprehensive findings, with the communications blackout complicating their work. Their preliminary statements will be critical in shaping the international response to the election's outcome. The situation remains volatile, with the final announcement from the NEC expected to be a flashpoint for either resolution or further escalation, holding significant implications for peace and stability across East Africa.