Tanzania's image for stability has been 'stained' by the unrest that hit the East African nation during last month's heavily disputed elections, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has acknowledged. Speaking as she swore in her new cabinet, Samia warned that the violence could 'set the country back'. 'We mostly depend on loans from international creditors, but what happened eroded our global credibility,' the 65-year-old president said. She was declared the winner of October's presidential poll with 98% of the vote, but the opposition - which was barred from contesting - denounced the election as a 'mockery of democracy'.
Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi's former president and the Commonwealth envoy, is due to arrive in Tanzania to lead reconciliation efforts between the two sides. Hundreds may have died as security forces crushed protests under cover of a five-day internet blackout following the elections, with gruesome images and videos circulating online.
The violence surprised many, as Tanzania had maintained an image of calm and order for nearly six decades. Last week, President Samia announced an official investigation into the unrest, urging prosecutors to consider dropping charges against those not directly involved in the protests. She also cautioned that future economic challenges may arise, noting that securing international loans could become difficult due to the recent unrest.
Amid the changes, Samia appointed her daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir as deputy education minister, while announcing that political dialogue is needed to address the country's challenges.
Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi's former president and the Commonwealth envoy, is due to arrive in Tanzania to lead reconciliation efforts between the two sides. Hundreds may have died as security forces crushed protests under cover of a five-day internet blackout following the elections, with gruesome images and videos circulating online.
The violence surprised many, as Tanzania had maintained an image of calm and order for nearly six decades. Last week, President Samia announced an official investigation into the unrest, urging prosecutors to consider dropping charges against those not directly involved in the protests. She also cautioned that future economic challenges may arise, noting that securing international loans could become difficult due to the recent unrest.
Amid the changes, Samia appointed her daughter Wanu Hafidh Ameir as deputy education minister, while announcing that political dialogue is needed to address the country's challenges.
