Tanzania President Orders Inquiry Into Election Killings and Calls for Leniency Toward Youth Protesters

Tanzania is entering a new phase of political introspection after Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that her government will establish an independent inquiry commission to investigate the killings that occurred during the election that secured her return to power. Addressing parliament on Friday in her first official speech following her re-election, President Hassan acknowledged the gravity of the violence and emphasised the government’s responsibility to uncover the truth and promote national healing.

Her statement marks one of the most direct acknowledgments yet from the Tanzanian government that serious human rights violations may have taken place during the contentious election period. It is a moment many political analysts view as pivotal for Tanzania’s democratic trajectory.

In her address before lawmakers, the Tanzania president confirmed that an inquiry commission would soon begin probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths that took place during the election unrest. The election, held on 29 October, awarded Hassan a resounding victory with 98 percent of the vote, according to the national electoral commission. However, the opposition and various human rights organisations have disputed the fairness of the voting process, alleging widespread rigging, intimidation, and state-sanctioned violence.

Tanzania President Announces Formation of Inquiry Commission

The days following the announcement of the results saw intense clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Reports from rights groups and the opposition claim that hundreds of civilians were killed, while many more suffered injuries or were detained. With the country under a full internet shutdown during the height of the protests, verifying the scale of the violence has been challenging, further strengthening calls for an independent investigation.

President Hassan expressed her sorrow over the loss of life, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the incident. I offer my condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones.” Her speech, sombre in tone, focused on acknowledging public pain and outlining steps her administration intends to take toward transparency.

A significant portion of the Tanzania president’s speech centred on the fate of the young people who were arrested during the post-election unrest. Hundreds of individuals—many of them youths—were charged with serious offences, including treason, a crime that carries the death penalty in Tanzania.

Recognising the widespread criticism over these charges, Hassan urged security agencies to exercise compassion and deeper scrutiny when handling cases involving youth protesters. She noted that many of the young people who joined the demonstrations may not have understood the legal implications of their actions.

She told parliament:
“I realise that many youths who were arrested and charged with treason did not know what they were doing. As the mother of this nation, I direct the law enforcement agencies, and especially the office of the director of police, to look at the level of offences committed by our youths. For those who seem to have followed the crowd and did not intend to commit a crime, let them erase their mistakes.”

Her request for leniency has been interpreted as an attempt to ease political tensions and prevent further alienation of young Tanzanians, who make up a significant portion of the country’s population. Critics of the government’s response to the protests have argued that the heavy-handed crackdowns threatened to inflame tensions further, especially among youth who already feel politically marginalised.

By acknowledging the election-related deaths and calling for an inquiry, the Tanzania president appears to be positioning herself as a leader committed to accountability. Her emphasis on compassion toward arrested youths also signals a shift toward a more conciliatory leadership style that differs from the more hardline approaches seen in past administrations.

However, political observers remain cautious. The success of the inquiry commission will depend significantly on its independence, transparency, and ability to hold wrongdoers accountable—regardless of their rank or political affiliation. Rights groups have welcomed the announcement but continue to urge the government to ensure that the commission’s findings are made public and accompanied by genuine reforms.

For many Tanzanians, the coming months will be a test of whether the president’s promises translate into concrete actions that rebuild trust in state institutions.

Source- EWN