President Samia Suluhu Hassan has warned that the deadly unrest following Tanzania’s disputed October 29 presidential election could jeopardize the country’s access to critical foreign loans and aid, which account for nearly a quarter of government revenue.

Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for her new cabinet in Dodoma, Hassan lamented that the violence had “tarnished our image and reduced our chances of getting loans.” She urged ministers to prioritize domestic resource mobilization, citing minerals and tourism, as international donors reassess their support.

Hassan, 65, secured almost 98% of the vote after opposition leaders from Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo were barred from contesting. The election triggered three days of protests, which opposition groups claim left more than 2,000 dead, while Amnesty International estimates over 500 fatalities from security crackdowns. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested on treason charges.

The unrest drew condemnation from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who decried the “deaths and injuries,” while AU and SADC observers concluded the vote failed to meet democratic standards. Rights groups accuse the government of underreporting casualties.

Hassan’s new cabinet has also sparked controversy, with accusations of nepotism after her daughter Aida Suluhu and son-in-law Kinjeketile Kirengezi were appointed among 30 ministers.

Tanzania faces mounting fiscal challenges, with $3.6 billion in external borrowing planned for 2025/26. Donors such as the World Bank and IMF are reportedly wary of repression under Hassan’s administration, which critics say mirrors the authoritarian tendencies of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Inflation at 5.8% and rising youth discontent add to the pressure.

Analysts, including Alex Vines of the European Council on Foreign Relations, note that political harassment is chilling investment. Hassan’s call for self-reliance reflects a scramble to safeguard funding amid donor fatigue, even as Tanzania remains one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies with GDP growth at 6%.