Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan
By Shadrack Nyakoe
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has claimed that foreign actors were behind the violent protests that erupted after the country’s disputed October 29 election, insisting that the unrest does not reflect Tanzania’s character or values.
Speaking in Dodoma during her swearing-in ceremony for a second term, President Samia said investigations had revealed that some of those arrested during the demonstrations were not Tanzanian nationals an indication, she said, that the turmoil was influenced by external forces.
“It pained us to witness the loss of lives, the destruction of property and the breakdown of peace in some parts of our nation. These actions are not Tanzanian. We were not shocked to discover that some of the young people apprehended came from outside the country,” she said, adding that security organs were pursuing the matter further to return the country to normalcy.
Her address came moments after she took the oath of office before Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis Juma, in a ceremony marked by a 21-gun salute and attended by dignitaries from across the region, including Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, representing President William Ruto.
Samia directed national, regional and district security committees to immediately ensure communities affected by the violence are stabilised. She urged citizens to reject disorder and embrace unity, cautioning those accused of incitement to choose dialogue over confrontation.
“As a mother, I warn those who fueled violence strength against strength only leads to more pain, but dialogue brings us together. National security is a collective responsibility, and we must protect it at all costs,” she said.
Her renewed mandate comes amid deep political tension. The National Electoral Commission declared her the winner with 97 per cent of the vote, a result the opposition has dismissed as fraudulent. CHADEMA, whose leader Tundu Lissu remains in detention, has accused the government of presiding over a “sham election” and claims more than 700 people have died during the protests.
Major cities including Dar es Salaam and Arusha witnessed running battles between demonstrators and security forces following the declaration of results. An internet shutdown remained in place nationwide as she took office, limiting the flow of information and restricting media coverage particularly for foreign journalists barred from reporting freely.
Regional leaders at the ceremony included Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo.
As investigations continue, President Samia anchored her message on peace, stability and national unity signalling that her administration will not tolerate further unrest, while placing responsibility for the protests partly on foreign interference.
