Tanzania’s Samia Launches Inquiry Into Election Unrest

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into the unrest that occurred during election week, reaffirming her commitment to accountability, stability, and national unity after what she described as an unprecedented moment in the country’s political history.

President Samia was declared the winner of the 29 October presidential election with 98% of the vote, a result her supporters say reflects her popularity and strong national mandate, while the opposition disputes the outcome.

A Call for Leniency and National Healing

Addressing parliament, President Samia urged prosecutors to show leniency toward young people detained during the protests, acknowledging that many may have been misled or caught up in the moment.

Quoting Scripture, she said:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

She noted that many of those arrested were youth, swept up in tensions driven by misinformation, political manipulation, and frustration that had been building for years.

Independent Inquiry and International Transparency

The president’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry comes days after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights encouraged Tanzania to conduct a transparent investigation into allegations of violence.

By launching this investigation herself, President Samia is positioning Tanzania as a nation committed to justice, institutional strength, and openness, a contrast to other governments in the region that often dismiss international concerns.