Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan promises probe into post-election unrest

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced an official investigation into the unrest that broke out during election week, after accusations that her government was responsible for violently crushing historic protests.

She was declared the winner of last month’s presidential elections with 98% of the vote, a result that the opposition denounced as a “mockery of democracy.” At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests.

In addition to the investigation committee, President Samia asked the Public Prosecution to “show leniency” with those detained in connection with the violence.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” she said, quoting the Bible.

Her comments come just days after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into reports of killings and other serious human rights violations during and after the October 29 elections.

The opposition says hundreds have died in the post-election unrest. The authorities have not yet announced an official death toll.

The violence was shocking to a nation that had cultivated an image of calm, consensus and order for nearly six decades.

During a speech to Parliament on Friday, President Samia urged prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping charges against individuals who may have been arrested in the unrest without fully understanding their actions.

“I know that many young people were arrested and charged with treason,” she said. “They did not fully understand what they were involved in.” “As a mother and guardian of this nation, I direct law enforcement agencies, especially the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, to show leniency.”

Samia also called on political parties to meet and discuss how to practice politics without harming the country. It reaffirmed its commitment to begin the process of drafting a new constitution.

The protests, organized by young people, drew clear parallels with the global mobilization led by Generation Z against entrenched leadership and unresponsive governments.

Analysts say that although the unrest was unprecedented for Tanzania, it was preceded by a tense political climate — marked by stalled reforms, years of youth anger, power struggles within the ruling party, and ongoing persecution of opposition leaders.

In the months leading up to Election Day, the CCM government worked to systematically eliminate any credible competition, according to analysts.

The two main opposition leaders were banned from running in last month’s elections – Tundu Lissu is in detention on charges of treason, which he denies, while Lohaja Mbeena’s candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.

During her first term in office, Samia’s approach to leadership was initially admired both at home and abroad, as she allowed opposition parties to organize rallies and criticize the government without fear of serious repercussions.

She has pledged to reopen Tanzania to the world through her “4R” principle – Reconciliation, Resilience, Reconstruction and Reform.

But months after the elections, a wave of kidnappings, arrests and brutal killings of opposition members swept the country, dashing hopes for reforms and reconciliation.

Additional reporting by Natasha Botti