Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on Friday the formation of an official inquiry committee to investigate the killings that accompanied last month’s election protests, while also issuing directives to release some of the youths who were detained during the demonstrations.
In her first speech before Parliament since the elections, President Hassan explained that the committee’s mandate includes examining the factors that led to the unrest, enabling the government to establish an effective path toward reconciliation and restoring stability. This move comes in response to international calls, including from UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, who urged an investigation into the killings and allegations of evidence suppression.
The protests erupted on October 29 following the exclusion of presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties, while authorities declared President Hassan the winner with over 97% of the votes.
Over three days of protests, hundreds were detained, with some facing charges of high treason. President Hassan stated that “those who were swept up in the events due to social pressure should be advised and released,” noting that she chose to pardon them “as a mother.”
She also acknowledged the demands of the main opposition party, Chadema, which stressed that any serious dialogue requires comprehensive constitutional reforms, affirming that her government will begin these reforms within the first 100 days of her term.
Chadema leader Tundu Lissu remains in detention facing treason charges, and his trial has not resumed since the unrest erupted, while his deputy, John Heche, was released after three weeks of detention on election day.