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Tanzania President Orders Inquiry Into Protest Killings, Urges Leniency for Treason-Charged Youths

The announcement follows weeks of deadly unrest after a disputed landslide, answering international calls for an independent investigation.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, flanked by the Tanzania Speaker of Parliament Mussa Azzan Zungu, addresses elected legislators at the Parliament Buildings in Dodoma, Tanzania November 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
FILE - Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan appears in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus on April 15, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
President Samia Suluhu Hassan arrives for the opening of parliament
President Samia Suluhu Hassan said there would be leniency for some protesters

Overview

  • Hassan told parliament a commission will investigate the post‑election violence and she offered condolences to bereaved families.
  • She directed law enforcement to consider releases or counselling for youths facing treason charges if they merely followed the crowd.
  • She pledged to begin a constitutional reform process within 100 days to support dialogue and national reconciliation.
  • The electoral commission gave her nearly 98% after key opponents were barred, while the U.N. says it believes hundreds were killed and the government has released no toll.
  • Hundreds remain charged with treason, CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu is still jailed, AU observers cited ballot stuffing, and a top rights group reported police harassment and device seizures in Dar es Salaam.