President Hassan Establishes Inquiry Commission to Investigate Post-Election Unrest

DODOMA, Tanzania — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has established a commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding recent protests and violence that followed Tanzania’s October presidential election, announcing that investigators will examine allegations of external funding and the role of opposition groups in organizing demonstrations.

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In a press statement delivered at State House in Dodoma on Wednesday, President Hassan outlined the commission’s mandate to determine the root causes of the unrest that claimed numerous lives and caused widespread destruction across the country.

“What happened was unfortunate,” President Hassan said, acknowledging the disagreements that have emerged in the wake of the electoral process. “However, we must understand the full picture of these events.”

Questions of Funding and Organization

The president raised concerns about the financing of the protests, questioning the sources of support for youth participation in the demonstrations.

“We have received information that young people were paid to take to the streets after the elections,” Hassan stated. “The commission must investigate where this money came from and who provided it.”

The inquiry will specifically examine the involvement of opposition political parties and non-governmental organizations in organizing and supporting the protests. President Hassan directed investigators to determine what role these entities played in mobilizing demonstrators.

“We need to understand who was behind these protests, what their motivations were, and how they were coordinated,” the president explained.

Opposition Claims and Electoral Disputes

The commission will also investigate statements made by opposition parties prior to the election, including declarations that elections should not proceed without comprehensive reforms and claims that the electoral process lacked legitimacy.

“Some opposition figures said the elections would not happen, others demanded reforms before voting could take place,” President Hassan noted. “The commission must examine these positions and their connection to what followed.”

The president emphasized that understanding the protesters’ demands is essential for the government to address legitimate grievances and prevent future conflicts.

“We want to know what rights these young people were demanding,” Hassan said. “If there are genuine issues that need government attention, we must identify them so we can take appropriate action to fix them.”

Seeking Reconciliation

While announcing the inquiry, President Hassan struck a conciliatory tone, expressing sympathy for families affected by the violence and calling for national healing.

“As a nation, we must move forward together,” the president said. “This commission will help us understand what happened so we can ensure it never happens again.”

The inquiry commission is expected to begin its work in the coming weeks, with findings to be presented to the government upon completion of investigations.

Opposition parties and civil society organizations have yet to publicly respond to the announcement of the commission’s formation.

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