Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Tanzanian president, returned to the Internet shutdown which lasted six days, while the country was experiencing its worst post-election violence. Comments made this Thursday during a meeting with diplomats and foreign nationals living in Tanzania.
In front of today's guests, the president expressed her "sympathy" and said the government would ensure that such events never happen again. She also blamed foreigners and said many young people who had been arrested were pardoned, saying they had acted under pressure from their peers.
Hassan defended his administration, saying the measures were taken to preserve constitutional order and protect citizens.
"I assure you that we will remain vigilant to guarantee your safety and prevent such events from happening again", the president told diplomats Thursday.
"We recognize the challenges posed by the unrest and violence that occurred on election day and shortly thereafter. Our response was essential to maintain constitutional order and ensure the security of all citizens and the diplomatic community she said. "I myself pardoned 1,787 convicts linked to the unrest and violence of October 29."
In October 2025, Samia Suluhu Hassan won the October elections with more than 97% of the vote. Candidates from the two main opposition parties were banned from running while the country's main opposition leader remained in prison, accused of treason.
Foreign observers said the elections did not meet democratic standards because key opposition figures were excluded.
Violence erupted on election day and continued for several days, as the internet was cut off and police carried out a harsh crackdown that left hundreds dead, according to human rights groups.
Since the October elections, Tanzania has set up a commission of inquiry to examine the violence that has left hundreds dead and destroyed property worth millions of shillings in a country that was experiencing relative calm for decades.
