ADDIS ABABA -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has congratulated Samia Suluhu Hassan on her election as president of Tanzania.

On Saturday, Tanzania's Independent National Electoral Commission announced that incumbent President Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has won the presidential election, securing 97.66 percent of the vote.

In a statement issued Saturday, the AUC chairperson congratulated Hassan on her victory in Wednesday's general elections, which were marred by days of violent protests.

Youssouf expressed deep regret over the loss of human life during the post-electoral protests and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

The chairperson "underscores the imperative of upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and expression, and encourages the authorities to safeguard these rights within the framework of the law," the statement read.

Calling on Tanzanians to exercise their rights in a peaceful and responsible manner, Youssouf reaffirmed the principles of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as respect for the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and political pluralism as the cornerstones of democratic and stable societies.

He further reiterated the AU's readiness to support the people and government of Tanzania in their efforts to preserve peace, national cohesion, and democracy.

Hassan becomes the country's first elected female president. She previously served as vice-president from 2015 to 2021 and first assumed the presidency in March 2021 following the death of then-President John Magufuli, marking a historic milestone as Tanzania's first female head of state.