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Tanzania's President Orders Probe Into Deadly Election Unrest
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation into last month's election violence, which left hundreds feared dead and over 240 people charged with treason. The move follows accusations that her government used excessive force to suppress historic protests after she secured a landslide victory with 98% of the vote-a result opposition groups dismiss as a "mockery of democracy."
Call for Leniency and Biblical Appeal
Addressing parliament on Friday, President Samia urged prosecutors to reduce or drop charges against many of the detained protesters, particularly young people she said may not have fully grasped the consequences of their actions. Quoting the Bible, she stated, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
"As a mother and guardian of this nation, I am directing law-enforcement agencies, especially the DPP's office, to show leniency," she said, acknowledging that many arrests stemmed from the unrest's chaotic nature.
UN Demands Transparency as Death Toll Remains Unclear
The announcement comes days after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a "full and transparent" probe into reports of killings and human rights abuses during and after the 29 October elections. While opposition figures claim hundreds died, authorities have yet to release an official death toll.
The violence marked a stark departure for Tanzania, which had long prided itself on decades of relative stability and political consensus.
Youth-Led Protests Echo Global Gen Z Movements
Analysts note the unrest-unprecedented in Tanzania's modern history-was fueled by years of stalled reforms, youth frustration, and the systematic suppression of opposition leaders. The protests, largely organized by young activists, mirrored global Gen Z-led mobilizations against entrenched political elites.
In the lead-up to the election, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party dismantled credible opposition: Tundu Lissu, a prominent critic, remains detained on treason charges he denies, while Luhaga Mpina's candidacy was rejected on technical grounds.
From Reform Pledges to Crackdowns
President Samia's first term had initially drawn praise for easing restrictions on opposition rallies and criticism, embodying her "4R" doctrine-reconciliation, resilience, rebuilding, and reform. However, the pre-election period saw a wave of abductions, arrests, and killings targeting opposition figures, dashing hopes for meaningful change.
Push for Political Dialogue and Constitutional Reform
Samia called on political parties to engage in dialogue to prevent future violence and reaffirmed her commitment to launching a new constitution-making process. "We must find a way to conduct politics without harming our nation," she stated, though skeptics question whether the gesture will address deeper grievances.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
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