Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan was inaugurated as president on Monday, with an internet blackout still in place after election protests in which the opposition says hundreds were killed by security forces.
The electoral commission said Hassan won 98 percent of the vote.
She was sworn into office despite the main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from running, rejecting the results.
It has called for fresh elections, saying last Wednesday’s vote was a “sham”.
Ahead of her arrival, state television showed officials and foreign dignitaries in stands overlooking parade grounds in the State House in the capital, Dodoma, rather than at a stadium as usual.
Earlier, the broadcaster said the public would not attend.
A total internet blackout has been in place since protests broke out on election day, so only a trickle of verifiable information has been getting out of the East African country.
The government has not commented on any deaths, except to reject accusations that “excessive force” was used.
Schools and colleges remained closed on Monday, with public transport halted and reports of some church services not taking place on Sunday.
The diplomatic source said there were “concerning reports” that police were using the internet blackout to buy time as they “hunt down opposition members and protesters who might have videos” of atrocities committed last week.
