Tanzania President Launches Investigation into Election-Related Violence

Mon Dec 01 2025 00:31:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has announced a formal inquiry into the violence during the recent election protests, promising leniency for offenders as the opposition condemns alleged government oppression.

In the wake of deadly protests following the October elections, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has vowed to investigate the violent crackdown on demonstrators. With her election result sparking controversy and accusations of treason against arrested youth, she has urged for forgiveness and less punitive measures against those charged. The unrest has shaken Tanzania’s historical image of stability, as calls for political dialogue and reform emerge.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into the unrest that erupted during election week, amid allegations that her government was responsible for violently suppressing historic protests.

Hassan was declared the winner of last month's presidential election with a staggering 98% of the vote—results that the opposition has denounced as a 'mockery of democracy.' Following the unrest, at least 240 individuals have been charged with treason.

In addition to establishing a commission of inquiry, President Hassan called on prosecutors to show leniency towards those arrested amid the violence. Quoting the Bible, she stated: 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'

Her remarks followed a plea from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, for a thorough and transparent investigation into reported killings and serious human rights violations during and after the October 29 elections. According to opposition claims, hundreds may have died in the aftermath, but the government has yet to release an official death toll.

The violence marks a troubling departure for Tanzania, which has historically been seen as a nation of peace and order. During a parliamentary address, Hassan emphasized the need for the legal system to consider reducing charges for those unwittingly caught in the protests, stating, 'I am directing law-enforcement agencies to show leniency.'

Political tensions have been high, with the ruling party, CCM, accused of eliminating credible competition ahead of the elections, leading to increased unrest, particularly among the youth. Analysts have noted that the suppression of opposition leaders paved the way for this unprecedented civil unrest, culminating in significant protests led primarily by younger citizens.

The protests have drawn parallels to similar global movements against unresponsive leadership, as calls for political dialogue and reform resonate across the nation.