Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced an official investigation to the unrest that broke out during election week, following accusations that her government was responsible for violently crushing historic protests.
Alongside the commission of inquiry, President Samia has urged prosecutors to exercise leniency towards individuals arrested in connection with the violence.
Her remarks come just days after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into reports of killings and other serious human rights violations during and after the 29 October elections.
During an address to parliament on Friday, President Samia urged prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping charges for individuals who may have been swept up in the unrest without fully understanding their actions.
“I am aware that many young people have been arrested and charged with treason. They did not fully understand what they were getting involved in.
“As a mother and guardian of this nation, I am directing law-enforcement agencies, especially the DPP’s office, to show leniency.”
Samia also called on political parties to meet and discuss how to conduct politics without causing harm to the country. She reaffirmed her commitment to initiating a new constitution-making process
BBC/Shakirat Sadiq