Tanzania's President Launches Inquiry Into Election Violence

Sat Nov 15 2025 05:53:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Samia Suluhu Hassan vows to investigate deaths linked to protests during the recent election, amidst calls for justice and leniency towards arrested citizens.

In response to widespread protests during the election week, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged an official investigation into alleged violent crackdowns by the government. The unrest follows a controversial election result that granted Hassan 98% of the vote, a claim the opposition has labeled a sham. The president also urged leniency for those arrested, especially young individuals amid rising discontent against stagnant political conditions. Calls for reform and dialogue are growing amidst ongoing tensions.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into unrest that erupted during the recent elections. The violence led to accusations that the government suppressed protests and resulted in the arrests of over 240 individuals, charged with treason. Hassan, who secured 98% of the votes in a highly contested election, called for compassion towards the young people caught in the turmoil, citing the biblical phrase: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

As the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights urged a comprehensive examination of the situation, reports indicate that hundreds could have lost their lives in the aftermath of the elections. President Hassan's statements echo a need for reconciliation in a country long known for its stability, now grappling with civil unrest.

In a push for dialogue, she intends to invite political leaders to discuss how to foster a more productive political environment and reaffirmed her commitment to creating a new constitution. The protests, predominantly led by the youth, reflect broader global movements against ineffective governance. Many believe the recent unrest was set against a backdrop of political suppression and lack of viable opposition during the elections.