Reports from Tanzania indicate that one of East Africa’s busiest ports is being disrupted by election-related violence following the “landslide victory” of incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
According to the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff), a source at the port said significant disruption has been seen at the Port of Dar es Salaam over the past week following political unrest, internet blackouts, and curfews, which have forced several vessels to divert to Mombasa.
Congestion data show Dar operating with just four ships alongside and a high queue-to-berth ratio of 3.0, while Mombasa is now absorbing much of the overflow, with over seventy vessels in port and anchorage volumes rising.
In short, regional cargo flows have shifted north, and Mombasa is under notable strain as Tanzania’s operations remain constrained.
Saaff’s source warned that there may be a knock-on effect on shipping schedules to and from the area and advised stakeholders to keep an eye out for any communications from the carriers.
The latest developments from Dar es Salaam at about 5 p.m. CAT came after Hassan took the oath of office for a second term, prompting deadly protests across the country.
Hassan was sworn in during a ceremony on Monday at a military base in the capital, Dodoma, Al Jazeera reports. The event was closed to the public following the violence that accompanied a vote in which the two main opposition challengers were barred from running.
After assuming power in 2021 following the death in office of her predecessor, John Magufuli, Hassan was declared the winner of the 29 October election with almost 98% of the vote. She ran against candidates only from minor opposition parties.
State television showed officials and foreign dignitaries in stands overlooking the parade grounds at the State House in Dodoma, rather than in a stadium as usual, as Hassan was sworn in.
