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 the concluded 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.

A diplomatic source said there were credible reports of hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of deaths registered at hospitals and health clinics around Tanzania.

Speaking to journalists, Chadema stated that it had recorded “no less than 800” deaths but none of the figures could be independently verified.

The government has not commented on any deaths, except to reject accusations that “excessive force” was used.

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Schools and colleges remained closed 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.

Source: Channels