Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has inaugurated an independent commission to investigate the violence that erupted during the 2025 General Election, saying the country must establish the truth behind the incident and chart a clear path to safeguard national stability.
Speaking at State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, yesterday she said the formation of the commission is guided by the 2023 Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 32, which grants the Head of State powers to constitute investigative bodies on matters of national concern.
The seven-member commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, will begin with a three-month mandate, which may be reviewed depending on the progress of its work.
President Samia said Tanzania needed its own commission to begin work immediately, even before engaging any proposed external investigation teams.
“In this incident, I thought that before bringing in an external commission, we should have our own commission to do the work first and when others come, they will engage with their fellow commission which will already have started the work,” she said.
She said that the scale of the unrest was unexpected, given the country’s long history of peace and political calm.
“In short, what happened was not expected in our country because of the history we have of safety and political stability. Even if we sometimes experience political tension, it had never reached this level,” she said.
President Samia outlined what the commission must examine, beginning with the root cause of the incident and those responsible.
“We expect the commission to examine the main cause of the incident and identify who or what triggered it,” she said.
She directed the team to investigate the motivations of the youths who took to the streets.
“When the chaos occurred, the youths were pushed into the streets to demand their rights. We want to know exactly what rights they felt they had lost and why, in their unity, they went into the streets. We need to understand their purpose so we can address it and ensure they get their rights,” she said.
The commission will also review statements made by opposition parties in the period leading up to the unrest.
“We must look at the statements from opposition parties who were saying there must be chaos, things cannot continue and the election will not take place. We want to know what exactly led to such declarations,” she said.
President Samia further instructed the commission to assess the relationship between political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the roles played by both local and foreign NGOs.
“We are told that the youths who came to demand their rights were first paid before they entered the streets, and many participated because of the money they received. So where did the money come from? Let us examine that, including the role of our local NGOs and what part they played,” she said.
She stressed that even if disagreements existed between the electoral commission and political parties, the Registrar of Political Parties or the government and political actors, violence was never a legitimate response.
“Was there no better way? Was the only option to set the country on fire, tarnish the nation and cause the deaths of citizens? Let us examine that,” she said.
The President also said the inquiry will review the measures taken by law enforcement during the unrest.
“People entered the streets, violence erupted and it was being echoed that the situation would be like what happened in Madagascar. So let us examine the measures taken to contain the violence. That is why the commission has a retired police officer. Let us look at what measures were taken and how,” she said.
President Samia said the commission will begin with a three month timeline, which may be adjusted depending on progress.
She assured members that the government will provide full facilitation, including a secretariat.
“The commission will be equipped with working tools. We will also provide a secretariat to help with writing and all organisational matters so that the commission performs effectively,”
she said She recalled her campaign pledge to establish a reconciliation commission within 100 days but said the current investigation must take priority.
“Because of what has happened, I see that we should form this commission first and your recommendations will shape the agenda for the reconciliation commission,” she said.
President Samia added that she has full confidence in the team despite concerns raised by some political actors.
“Yesterday I was reading an article where our colleagues in the opposition said they have no confidence in an internal commission and want a commission from the UN, AU or EU. But I have great confidence in your expertise and experience, and I believe your recommendations will help us move forward,” she said.
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