Africa-Press – Tanzania. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has claimed that some of the youth who took part in the deadly protests that erupted after the October 29 election were not Tanzanian citizens but came from outside the country.
Speaking during her swearing-in ceremony in Dodoma following her re-election as president, Suluhu said that the violent aftermath of the elections did not represent the true image or character of Tanzanians.
“It did not surprise us to learn that some of the young people arrested in connection with those riots came from outside the country,” she said.
Suluhu noted that Tanzania’s defense and security agencies are closely monitoring the situation and working to restore peace and order across the nation.
“I am directing the national, regional, and district defense and security committees to ensure that, starting today, normal life for citizens resumes immediately,” she stated.
Her remarks come in the wake of reports of widespread unrest that left parts of the country paralysed after she was declared the winner of a hotly contested election.
According to official results released by the National Electoral Commission, Suluhu won with an overwhelming 98 per cent of the vote. However, the opposition has rejected the results, calling the election “fraudulent” and “unfair.”
Opposition figures have claimed that hundreds of people were killed in clashes with security forces during the protests that followed the announcement of the results.
The government has strongly denied those claims, calling the reported death toll “hugely exaggerated” and insisting that the security forces exercised restraint while maintaining order.
Suluhu, 65, expressed deep sorrow over the destruction and loss of life that occurred, particularly in major cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, where protests were most intense.
“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the consequences of the destruction of peace, the loss of lives, and the damage to both public and private property that occurred in some parts of the country, especially in cities and towns,” she said.
She urged Tanzanians to reject violence and focus on rebuilding national unity, describing peace as the country’s most valuable asset.
“Our responsibility is to build our nation and make our tomorrow better than our yesterday. Let us continue to uphold our ideology of unity and solidarity,” Suluhu said.
During her speech, Suluhu also acknowledged messages of support from visiting regional leaders, including the Presidents of Zambia and Burundi, who attended the ceremony.
“In their speeches here today, the Presidents of Zambia and Burundi have emphasised that internal unrest in a country is not good — it has no price, no value, and brings no benefit to anyone. Therefore, my fellow citizens, I urge you all to cherish and maintain the peace, unity, and stability of our nation,” she added.
Her comments came just a day after Tanzanian authorities claimed that foreign nationals were behind efforts to plan fresh rounds of protests in several major towns.
According to a statement released by the Tanzania Police Force, intelligence reports indicate that hundreds of foreigners entered the country illegally, allegedly on boda bodas (motorbikes), with the intent to stage demonstrations and disrupt national stability.
“Tanzania Police have received information that a group of foreign nationals are in the country with the aim of committing crimes, including creating chaos. These people are purporting to do several jobs, including operating boda bodas,” the police spokesperson said.
The statement added that the foreigners are reportedly operating in several provinces, including Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, Songwe, and other regions.
“As police follow up on these reports with a view to taking action in line with our laws, any citizen hosting a foreigner whose work is unknown or whose activities appear suspicious is asked to provide information to government officers,” the police said.
Authorities also warned that Tanzanians or business entities found harbouring undocumented foreigners would face arrest and prosecution.
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