Mnangagwa Congratulates Tanzanian President On ‘97% Election Victory’ : Birds of a Feather?

November 3, 2025 4 min read

Mnangagwa conratulates Tanzanian president

In a move that looks like support for leaders who refuse to follow democratic rules, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has quickly congratulated his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan. He congratulated her on her “thumping victory” in the October 2025 presidential elections. This election gave her a huge 97.66% of the vote. This happened while there were many reports of fraud, police action against the opposition, and deadly street protests.

Tanzania president elect, Samia Suluhu Hassan
Source: France24

As reported by the state newspaper The Herald, Mnangagwa praised Hassan’s win as a “testimony to the trust and confidence” of Tanzanians in her leadership. He promised to “strengthen bonds” between Harare and Dar es Salaam. However, this is more than just polite talk. It is a clear sign that the two leaders have similar ways of keeping power through control. For them, “free and fair” elections are just a show for their deep-rooted rule.

With Mnangagwa’s own ZANU-PF party trying to change the Constitution to extend his presidency to 2030 under his Vision 2030 blueprint, the similarities are too clear to ignore. Birds of a feather, after all, flock to the same undemocratic roost, leaving citizens to suffer from rigged games. The strong support Mnangagwa gave to the outcome is highly suspicious, raising questions about the fairness of the entire Mnangagwa regime-Tanzania Election exchange.

Table of Contents

The Tanzanian “Coronation” – A Blueprint Mnangagwa Admires

Tanzania’s election was not a real contest; it was a “coronation” planned with fear. Opposition leaders were jailed for false reasons, stopped from running, or disappeared. At the same time, voter lists grew with fake voters, and ballot stuffing was common. Protests started all over the country—from Dar es Salaam to Arusha—with young people chanting against the “stolen” vote. They were met with tear gas, live bullets, and an internet blackout that stopped the news. Official vote counts came while people claimed over 700 deaths in the disorder. This turned what Hassan called a “free, open and fair” process into a violent show.

Tanzania protests — *Tanzania mid-protest*s

Mnangagwa’s strong praise? It sounds just like his own methods, where speaking out against the government is called “uncouth” or “unpatriotic.” Hassan also called the protesters threats to the nation. By praising this charade, Mnangagwa is not just supporting another leader; he is nodding to a method that could help him keep power. All this happens while regional partners like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) provide diplomatic protection.

Vision 2030 – Mnangagwa’s Power Grab

At home, Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 – promoted as a path to upper-middle-income status by 2030 – is less of a national dream and more of a personal plan to extend his term. ZANU-PF’s recent shocking support for changing the Constitution to extend his term from 2028 to 2030 has caused anger. Critics call it a “coup by bill” that increases authoritarian rule.

*ZANU-PF relates with Tanzania through Wicknell Chivayo*
*Source: Facebook*

Opposition parties and civil society groups criticize it for making one-man rule stronger, hurting democratic change, and causing corruption scandals that have branded Zimbabwe the SADC’s most corrupt state. Public input? It is a joke. Events opposing the term extension have been met with attacks labeled as “terrorism” against critics, similar to Tanzania’s pre-election jailings. Mnangagwa’s congratulations for the Tanzania Election result arrive at a key time: as ZANU-PF works to “ensure stability” for his vision, it is clear the plan puts the ruling group’s power over the public’s wishes. It shows that economic “reforms” hide a slide into never-ending leadership. Why support a 98% “win” abroad when your own 2030 goal requires the same trickery at home?

Shared Playbook and Continental Cost

If you look closely, the similarities show they are cooperating. In Tanzania, opposition figures faced “treason” charges and kidnappings to clear the political field. In Zimbabwe, people speaking against the 2030 term extension face abductions, beatings, and attacks in state media, being called “rogue successionists.” Both leaders rely on ruling parties with strict histories – CCM in Tanzania, ZANU-PF here – to create “landslides” that are hard to believe.

Mnangagwa’s promise to work together on “mutual concerns” ignores how these alliances make fraud seem normal, destroying belief in democracy across Africa. With the authoritarian push of Vision 2030 already causing “No Way 2030” protests from the opposition, his support of Hassan’s disputed victory is not diplomacy – it is a warning. If dreams of upper-middle-income status are built on suppressed votes and extended terms, the public pays with lost futures. It is time to ask: When will SADC stop these leaders before they stop democracy on the continent?

About R Musiwa

Rumbidzai Musiwa is a journalist and media communications professional based in Harare, Zimbabwe, currently writing for Izwi24 News. With a BA (Hons) in Journalism & Media Studies from the University of Zimbabwe, Rumbidzai brings hands-on experience in news reporting, content creation, and digital storytelling. As a skilled journalist, Rumbidzai specializes in conducting in-depth interviews, writing compelling articles, and producing multimedia content including video and photo editing. Her work focuses on amplifying important stories across Zimbabwe, covering social issues, community outreach programs, and cultural events. Previously, Rumbidzai served as Media & Communications Officer at ICAPA Trust, where she wrote press releases, compiled newsletters, and moderated discussions on gender-based violence and women's rights. Her final year university project, a radio documentary titled "A Day in the Life of a Street Child," showcased her commitment to giving voice to marginalized communities. Connect with Rumbidzai Musiwa for journalism inquiries, media collaborations, or story pitches. Email : Rumbidzai@izwi24.com

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