Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan played down days of bloody protest as she was inaugurated on Monday, despite the opposition warning that hundreds were killed.

The main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from running, has rejected the results. It has called for fresh elections, saying last Wednesday’s vote was a “sham”.

“Our defence and security agencies continue to investigate and examine in detail what happened,” she said, promising a return to normality as she addressed officials and foreign dignitaries in the capital Dodoma.

The ceremony was held in State House without the public, rather than in a stadium as usual.