President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that the violence and unrest that followed Tanzania’s disputed elections last month have “stained” the country’s long-standing reputation for peace and stability.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam as she swore in a new cabinet, the president warned that the crisis could carry a heavy economic cost.
“We mostly depend on loans from international creditors,” she said. “But what happened eroded our global credibility.” She added that the turmoil “could set the country back” after years of progress.
Samia, 65, was declared the winner of the October poll with 98% of the vote. The opposition, which had been barred from running, dismissed the result as a “mockery of democracy.” Several opposition leaders were detained or disqualified in the weeks leading up to the vote.
The aftermath was grim. Security forces moved quickly to crush protests as internet access was cut for five days. Opposition figures say hundreds may have been killed, though the government has not released a death toll. Images of bodies lying in the streets spread online, shocking many in a country often seen as one of East Africa’s calmest states.
At least 240 people were later charged with treason over the unrest. Human rights groups have urged the government to release those held on political grounds.
Last week, Samia announced an official inquiry into the violence. She also asked prosecutors to review cases and consider dropping charges for people not directly involved in the protests.
“We must correct what went wrong,” she told ministers on Tuesday.
Samia became president in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. She was initially praised for easing political tension and reopening space for debate. But critics say that freedoms have narrowed once again, especially ahead of this year’s polls.
The president also warned her ministers that the economic outlook could be difficult.
“In the first term, we used to get loans from outside due to our stability,” she said. “But the stain we brought upon ourselves could now hinder that.” She urged her cabinet to focus on raising funds at home and using the country’s natural resources more effectively.
Her new 27-member cabinet includes a familiar face: her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who becomes deputy education minister. Wanu’s husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, stays in cabinet as health minister. Seven previous ministers were dismissed.
Meanwhile, international mediation is underway. The Commonwealth has sent former Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera to Tanzania to lead talks between the government and the opposition. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said Chakwera would hold “constructive dialogue” with political leaders, civil society, religious groups and diplomats during his four-day visit.
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