Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into the unrest that broke out during election week, responding to accusations that her government was responsible for violently suppressing historic protests.
Hassan was declared the winner of last month's presidential poll with 98% of the vote, a result denounced by the opposition as a mockery of democracy. In the aftermath of the protests, over 240 individuals faced treason charges.
Alongside the commission of inquiry, President Hassan has called on prosecutors to show leniency towards those arrested in connection with the violence. Quoting the Bible, she stated: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.\
Her remarks come shortly after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into reports of human rights violations during and post the elections. Opposition claims suggest that hundreds may have perished in the post-election unrest, yet local authorities have not released an official death toll.
The violence represented a stark departure for a nation historically known for its stability. In her address to parliament, President Hassan expressed her awareness of the plight of many young people who have been charged, asserting their actions were often misjudged and out of desperation.
Moreover, she encouraged political parties to dialogue and foster a healthier political landscape, reaffirming her commitment to a new constitution-making process. This unrest, primarily driven by youths, reflects a broader global trend of young generations standing against entrenched leaderships and stagnant governance.
While the recent disturbances are without precedent for Tanzania, analysts indicate that they stem from a long-standing tense political climate characterized by stagnant reforms, entrenched youth dissatisfaction, and the systematic suppression of opposition candidates, compounded by the government’s efforts to eliminate credible competition.
The two main opposition leaders were barred from participating in the elections, raising serious concerns regarding the fairness and competitiveness of the electoral process. The unusual openness that characterized President Hassan's early tenure gave way to an intensified crackdown on dissent leading up to the elections, resulting in abductions, arrests, and brutality against opposition figures.
In her previous leadership approach, Hassan had earned both domestic and international accolades for allowing opposition parties to operate more freely, championing a doctrine of reconciliation and reform. However, the approach has shifted dramatically amidst political turmoil and heightened violence.
