Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate the causes of the chaos that erupted on Election Day, saying the nation deserves a full and sober account of what transpired before it proceeds with reconciliation efforts.
Addressing the National Assembly in Dodoma on November 14, the President said Tanzanian democracy has matured over the years but still offered room for continuous learning and improvement.
She led Members of Parliament in paying respect to those who lost their lives during the election-day violence, noting that the disturbances unsettled communities and disrupted the country’s democratic processes.
The commission, she said, has been tasked with identifying institutional gaps and proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
The findings, once completed, will help inform the country’s next steps towards reconciliation.
“I have always been for reconciliation. That is why I came with the 4Rs philosophy and that is also why I started the reconciliation process after I came to power. I will not tire away from reconciliation,” she said, emphasising that the government is determined to ensure stability and cohesion as the country reflects on the incident.
President Samia also announced clemency for youth jailed for participating in the disturbances.
She explained that, upon reviewing footage of the demonstrations, it was evident that some youths joined the unrest out of excitement and peer influence, unaware of the implications of their actions.
For this reason, she said she had instructed prosecution authorities to reconsider their cases and ensure that those who were swept into the chaos are treated with fairness and understanding.
She underscored that the objective of this clemency is not to excuse wrongdoing but to recognise the vulnerability of young people who may have been misled or confused during the tensions of the day.
Authorities have been directed to act promptly so that eligible individuals are released or have their cases reviewed without delay.
The President appealed to Tanzanians to remain calm as investigations proceed, urging political actors, community leaders and citizens to support efforts to establish the truth and reinforce the country’s democratic foundations.
More details on the composition and timeline of the investigative committee are expected in the coming days.
