Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into the unrest that broke out during election week, following accusations that her government was responsible for violently crushing historic protests.
She was declared the winner of last month's presidential poll with 98% of the vote - a result the opposition has denounced as a mockery of democracy. At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests.
In addition to the commission of inquiry, President Samia has urged prosecutors to show leniency towards those arrested in connection with the violence. Quoting the Bible, she said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Her remarks come just days after the 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 29 October elections.
According to the opposition, hundreds may have died in post-election unrest, though the authorities have yet to release an official death toll. The violence has shocked a nation that has maintained an image of calm and order for nearly six decades.
During an address to parliament, President Samia urged prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping charges for individuals who may have been swept up in the unrest without fully understanding their actions. She acknowledged that many young people arrested and charged with treason did not fully comprehend their involvement in the situation.
Samia also called for political parties to initiate dialogue on ways to conduct politics without jeopardizing national stability and reaffirmed her commitment to starting a new constitution-making process.
The unprecedented protests were primarily organized by youth, paralleling global movements led by Generation Z opposing entrenched leadership. Analysts attribute the unrest to a tense political climate marked by stalled reforms, simmering youth discontent, internal power struggles within the ruling party, and sustained persecution of opposition leaders.
In the months leading up to the elections, the CCM government took measures to eliminate credible opposition. The two main opposition leaders were barred from participating; Tundu Lissu is in detention on treason charges, while Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.
Initially, Samia's leadership approach was lauded, but in the lead-up to the elections, reports of abductions, arrests, and brutal killings of opposition members have dashed hopes for significant reforms.
She was declared the winner of last month's presidential poll with 98% of the vote - a result the opposition has denounced as a mockery of democracy. At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests.
In addition to the commission of inquiry, President Samia has urged prosecutors to show leniency towards those arrested in connection with the violence. Quoting the Bible, she said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Her remarks come just days after the 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 29 October elections.
According to the opposition, hundreds may have died in post-election unrest, though the authorities have yet to release an official death toll. The violence has shocked a nation that has maintained an image of calm and order for nearly six decades.
During an address to parliament, President Samia urged prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping charges for individuals who may have been swept up in the unrest without fully understanding their actions. She acknowledged that many young people arrested and charged with treason did not fully comprehend their involvement in the situation.
Samia also called for political parties to initiate dialogue on ways to conduct politics without jeopardizing national stability and reaffirmed her commitment to starting a new constitution-making process.
The unprecedented protests were primarily organized by youth, paralleling global movements led by Generation Z opposing entrenched leadership. Analysts attribute the unrest to a tense political climate marked by stalled reforms, simmering youth discontent, internal power struggles within the ruling party, and sustained persecution of opposition leaders.
In the months leading up to the elections, the CCM government took measures to eliminate credible opposition. The two main opposition leaders were barred from participating; Tundu Lissu is in detention on treason charges, while Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.
Initially, Samia's leadership approach was lauded, but in the lead-up to the elections, reports of abductions, arrests, and brutal killings of opposition members have dashed hopes for significant reforms.
