Dar es Salaam – On April 23, 2026, President Samia Suluhu Hassan received a report from the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Violence and Breach of Peace that occurred during and after the General Election of October 2025.

The following is the address delivered by President Samia at an event held at the State House in Dar es Salaam, shortly after the Commission Chairman, retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, presented the findings of his investigation, which concluded, among other things, that what occurred was not a peaceful protest but rather violence.

Editor’s Note: The following content has been edited for improved readability.

Honourable leaders and fellow citizens, we who have gathered here, and all Tanzanians, we must unite together to thank Almighty God for giving us life and good health, and for enabling us to witness this momentous occasion for the future of our nation. This is an important event because we have all been waiting to understand the reality of the events of October 25 and our direction as a nation.

Fellow citizens, I established this Commission as is customary in our nation to establish investigative bodies when special matters occur that require thorough examination. This is the sixth or seventh Commission in our country’s history. In the Second Phase, a Commission of Inquiry into Violence and Deaths at the Kilombero Sugar Factory was established in 1986, led by Justice David Chipeta. In the Third Phase: A Commission of Inquiry into the death of Lieutenant General Imran Kombe in 1996, led by Justice Barnabas Samatta. An inquiry commission into violence following the election in Pemba in 2001, led by Brigadier General Hashim Bita, and later, I myself became a member of the reconciliation committee for that event.

In the Fourth Phase: A Commission of Inquiry into the murders of miners by police in 2006, led by Justice Kipenka Musa. A Commission of Inquiry into Violations of Human Rights and deaths during the Pastoralist Operations from the IHEFU valley and its challenges in 2007, led by Justice Othman Chande, the same person we have used. All these commissions’ findings were not clear. However, in the Sixth Phase, as you know, we established a Commission to examine the Criminal Justice System and Citizens’ Rights, to discuss the conduct of criminal cases and citizens’ rights. Also, this commission that has investigated the Violence Before and after the General Election held on October 29, 2025, of Justice Othman Chande, we announced clearly, and today it has released clear findings from the investigation.

My fellow citizens, in that context, I take this opportunity to congratulate very much the retired Chief Justice, Honourable Mohammed Chando Othman, the commissioners, and the commission secretariat, for the great work you have done with effort, dedication, and great patriotism. You have worked in difficult circumstances, you have overcome all obstacles, and you have demonstrated the capacity of our nation to address its own challenges, using international methodology and standards.

Furthermore, I join the commission chairman in thanking the affected citizens of the events of October 2025, as well as representatives of special groups and civil society institutions, government leaders in office and retired, and leaders of political parties who appeared before the commission. Your cooperation with the commission has demonstrated your readiness to participate in this journey of healing the wounds that have afflicted our nation.

Similarly, I thank the international community and friendly nations for showing concern for this major challenge in the history of the United Republic of Tanzania. The UN Secretary-General sent a special envoy, Honourable Ambassador Parfait Onanga-Anyanga. The African Union Secretary-General sent a special envoy, the retired President of Malawi, Honourable Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

Similarly, the Union of African Women Leaders, led by its chairperson, the retired President of the Republic of Liberia, Honourable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, came to the country to follow up on what happened. We have held discussions and consultations with all of them that protect and build the prestige of our nation. All have assured us of their readiness to cooperate with us in any step we see we need further assistance and cooperation.

I also thank all stakeholders who agreed to meet with these special envoys, including leaders of political parties. On the other hand, there are those who used the events of October 2025 to attack us and point fingers at us. We are not very surprised because human perspectives differ, and there was great distortion of information about that event, especially by foreign media and international outlets. By the custom of gentlemen, when something sad and hurtful happens, the expectation is to be comforted rather than to be pointed at.

In any case, those who were hurt by that event are we Tanzanians. We are the ones who lost our children, our siblings, relatives and friends. In any case, those affected are Tanzanians in general. It is impossible for someone else who is not Tanzanian to have more pain than we Tanzanians. It is impossible! If it were possible, we wish the days would go back, what happened in October 2025 would not have happened, and history would be rewritten so we could erase the stain we entered.

Even the Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, once said in one of his speeches that when we gained independence, what the colonisers left us was not a nation, but a collection of tribes. But with the vision and determination of our founders, they decided to build one strong nation, not run on the basis of religion, tribe or status, and where our great Swahili language is used as a means to unite us together and maintain and strengthen our national identity.

In 1991, when Mwalimu Nyerere came before Tanzanians to build the argument for the nation to enter a multi-party political system, his goal was to create an environment for competing ideas and not to bring violence. Despite that, quite remarkably, I again thank the citizens for not continuing acts of breach of peace despite the enthusiasm that was being made, especially through social media. I thank you again for your calm and faith in the government while we awaited this commission report. Thank you very much, Tanzanians.

My fellow Tanzanians, the United Republic of Tanzania did not come about by chance but was built by our founders with their vision and deeds. And since it was built, it is clear there are foundations that have made this nation of more than 126 tribes stand as one nation with cohesion.

My fellow leaders and citizens, when Kwame Nkrumah spoke about African unity, he often said, “If you want to eat an elephant, you must cut it into pieces,” meaning it is impossible to suck Africa if it is united. Unfortunately, his dream of building one African nation, namely the United States of Africa, did not materialise. To this day, Africa remains in pieces and has not yet freed itself economically.

There is no doubt this philosophy also applies to one nation; that if a nation has unity and cohesion, it will be difficult to suck it and rule it politically or economically. Many nations with many resources have been attacked and drawn into conflicts to facilitate the extraction of resources in those countries. And indeed, one of the major reasons for Africa’s poverty is civil wars, which, if you follow closely, the one who sets them at each other is outside and continues to benefit from the resources of that country. My fellow Tanzanians, unity is strength and division is weakness. I urge you very much to continue to strengthen our unity and cohesion so that we do not give an opportunity to be disturbed by enemies of our nation.

Honourable leaders and my fellow Tanzanians, at this point, I now turn to discuss the results of October 29, 2025. We would be deceiving ourselves if we did not speak the truth that what happened at that time shook our nation. Indeed, it shook us. We Swahili say, “Losing the way is knowing the way.” We have touched fire, and we have learned.

The Commission has explained to us that the investigation has established that the violence that occurred was planned, coordinated, financed, and executed by trained people with criminal tendencies and destructive activities. Similarly, it has been established that the goals of those involved were to disrupt the election and create a leadership vacuum so the country would not be governed, and that is why the violence began on election day.

To fulfil that goal, we have been told that the perpetrators targeted important infrastructure and disrupted the family service system to affect the economy and weaken the Government. Political science experts present here with us, and anyone with an understanding of governance issues can reflect on what would have happened if the goals of the perpetrators of that violence or disorder had succeeded. Without a doubt, the efforts of the security and safety organs to control that violence and disorder are what have made Tanzania what it is today.

Otherwise, we would be talking about a different story. But here, Mr Chairman, this does not mean that for those whom we will establish have violated the law and procedures of their work, we will not hold them accountable; we will hold them accountable.

Honourable leaders and my fellow Tanzanians, following that violence, there have been many reports issued without accuracy. Various groups and some individuals were issuing statistics on deaths and those affected without certainty. Those statistics were either intended to minimise or exaggerate by adding salt to the level of damage that occurred.

Our elders said, “When truth appears, lies disappear.” Today we have received statistics carefully analysed by this Commission. The Commission has presented its report based on expert investigation, and the truth has been established. The statistics on the number of deaths, the injured, and those who suffered various damages have been analysed by the commission, and we have heard them. Furthermore, we have been told about the existence of claims by some citizens who have not been able to see their relatives or family members after that violence.

I promise that, as the commission has recommended, the government will continue to conduct a thorough and expert investigation to accurately know these matters. We have received the Commission’s recommendation, we have received and we will work on it and we will not delay.

My fellow citizens, in remembering and honouring those who died for justice, I ask us to stand for one minute. Let us ask Almighty God to rest their souls in eternal peace. Each person according to their faith. Amen.

With great sorrow, I again express condolences to my fellow parents who lost their young people, and to all Tanzanians, we lost our siblings and relatives. In another step, I thank the Ministry of Health and other health stakeholders, including public and private hospitals, for working day and night, even in difficult circumstances, to save the lives of the injured.

Fellow citizens, since independence and even after the union, the United Republic of Tanzania decided to follow a democratic system. At different times, we have had single-party or multi-party democracy. Since 1992, we have decided to follow multi-party democratic politics. In this system, we continue to learn and move in that direction. I remember Mwalimu Nyerere in his speech in June 1991, while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he said, and I quote here, “Democracy is not a bottle of Coca-Cola that you can order. Democracy must be developed according to the country itself.” End of quote.

In other words, democracy must necessarily be built by taking into account the circumstances of the country and, most importantly, the customs and culture of the country in question. Now we as a nation, let us be allowed to build our democracy on our own basis, our customs and traditions.

My fellow citizens, when you entrusted me with the responsibility of leading this nation, I found there were challenges in the multi-party democratic system and the political system here in the country. There were many complaints from political stakeholders and other stakeholders about being denied political freedom, freedom of expression, and challenges in electoral systems.

Through the philosophy of 4R (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform, and Rebuild), I took several steps, including the establishment of a Task Force to address multi-party democratic issues in the country; conducting dialogue with political stakeholders that resulted in amendments to several laws concerning our elections, but also concerning our political parties and the political party registrar.

Other steps taken included allowing and expanding the scope of conducting political activities and promoting freedom of the media. Along with that, there are still several things to be done in the field of politics, including the matter of constitutional change.

As you know and as I promised, we have planned to complete this process in this second period of the Sixth Phase, and it is a priority issue in the election manifesto of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party.

On the other hand, the commission has established that there are complaints concerning the accountability of some leaders and public servants in addressing challenges and serving citizens. Furthermore, there are allegations concerning the morality of leaders, including bribery, embezzlement, and misuse of public resources. The issue of youth employment, creating a business-friendly environment, and empowering citizens economically has also been raised.

The report has also touched on the work of controlling violence and restoring security in the country carried out by security and safety organs. Similarly, challenges that have emerged have been identified, and steps have been recommended to be taken to improve the quality of national security and the safety of our citizens.

Honourable leaders and fellow citizens, certainly in any development journey, challenges are unavoidable, and we must face them with collective strength. Fundamentally, the real concept of development is to face and solve challenges so we can move forward. This is the responsibility of all of us: the government side, the private sector, and all citizens in general. It is not wise at all to turn these challenges into reasons for causing violence, destruction, and crime.

Challenges like these and more exist in many countries in the world, even developed countries. But likewise, challenges of this kind exist in countries surrounding us, but their citizens have not used them as a reason to destroy infrastructure and undermine their economies or make their economies inferior.

It is also true that what happened in October 2025 did not remove or reduce our challenges. That violence and those disturbances did not remove our challenges, but have added challenges. And as I explained earlier, if that violence had not been controlled, the country would have faced a much greater situation, and it would have taken us many years to rise again.

I advise my fellow Tanzanians to recognise that it is easy to lose peace but not easy to restore it. It is easy to destroy a country, but it is difficult to rebuild it. Even here, I want us all to understand that the fate of Tanzania is in the hands of Tanzanians themselves. The power of the influence of external groups helps break peace, disrupt security and destroy the country.

But restoring peace and security and rebuilding our country is done with assistance that has difficult political, economic and commercial conditions. Therefore, let us be careful that Tanzanians are the ones who build Tanzania. When we destroy it, we have no uncle to help us.

We will get loans with economic and political conditions so we can rebuild. But during destruction, we can get help very easily. So then, these difficult and dangerous things we have gone through should teach us to continue in the right direction.

There is a famous quote from Nelson Mandela that says, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” meaning, in order for us to succeed, we must learn from both pleasant and unpleasant events. We have learned from these difficult passages, and let us cooperate so we can become stronger.

Honourable leaders and fellow citizens, we have heard the matters identified by the commission, along with recommendations in summary. You have witnessed the report I received with those books that are there. This is the President’s report. The one who established the commission is the President, and all this report is the President’s. Therefore, let no other people come and claim ownership of this report; it is the President’s report. I said the commissions of old were kept quiet quietly. I have decided to tell each other, but the report is the President’s property.

I want to assure the Commission that we have received all the recommendations that have been submitted, and we will read them in those documents, and we will begin to work on them immediately. At this point, I call upon my fellow Tanzanians to unite together to restore our nation to its foundation. In ensuring the recommendations of the commission report, the government will take the following swift steps:

First, we will go with the commission’s recommendations to conduct an in-depth investigation of what the commission has identified.

In the near future, we will establish a Reconciliation Commission that will include all important stakeholders. It will oversee and lead discussions and reconciliation to bridge the gaps and divisions that exist and restore national unity and cohesion. I must remind you that the idea of having a Reconciliation Commission existed even before the events of October 25, and it is one of the promises I made to implement within 100 days of starting. However, unfortunately, the violence of October 25 has delayed the implementation of that promise, because even the reference terms of that commission that I prepared now will have to be changed to match the current circumstances.

After the Reconciliation Commission submits its report, the opinions and recommendations that will be submitted will be what will lead to the process of amending the country’s Constitution.

Because the report has identified indicators of criminal matters regarding those outcomes, we will establish a special body for criminal investigation for the purpose of doing the work recommended by the commission. That body will look at the issues identified and determine those involved in planning, coordinating, and financing the events of violence or disorder. Similarly, they will focus on determining those involved in criminal acts, because there is violence and there is crime. There are those who were breaking stores, invading, and stealing. Fortunately, there are pictures that will guide us to those matters. The investigation commission will also look closely at the deaths of children and address the issue of claims of bodies that have not been found. The Commission will also focus on matters of those alleged to have been abducted and whose information has not been found, as well as those affected outside the area of violence. The body will look at all those areas.

The government will establish procedures to pay for the treatment of victims of violence who still need treatment. Similarly, it will pay for auxiliary equipment and prosthetics for those who have suffered permanent disability so they can afford their daily circumstances. I recognize and as was said here that there are small traders who, with their ability, cannot enter large insurance to be able to pay them, so we will also look at the losses they have suffered and see how we can comfort them.

I direct security and safety organs to continue implementing their duties to ensure the country continues to be safe.

That violence of October 25 has cost the lives of our fellow Tanzanians, citizens and soldiers. Those deaths have hurt us greatly. Let us direct our hearts to our Creator. Let us continue to pray for our fellow citizens who died for justice. Furthermore, let us pray for our nation so that Almighty God continues to heal and strengthen it. Let us stand on the words of Almighty God in the second book of Chronicles chapter seven, verse 14, which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Similarly, the words of Almighty God in the Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-A’raf, verse 23, say, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if you do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.”

Let us not continue to be among the losers. I urge the religious leaders of all faiths in the country to stand in your position to heal our nation.

Honourable leaders and my fellow Tanzanians, as I approach the conclusion, I want to acknowledge that I personally did not expect this matter to occur in our country during this period, while I am the chief leader of the nation. This has placed a heavy burden on my shoulders. But I want to assure you that, as Almighty God guides me and grants me, I will bear this burden with courage, confidence, and great care.

Once again, I assure the Commission that the government has received this information and its recommendations, and together with you commissioners, we will go to work on them. The recommendations you have given are medicine to heal our nation. And whatever taste that medicine has, the medicine must be drunk so that we heal. We will work on those recommendations properly.

We will make corrections to the things that have been identified as having defects. We will strengthen where there is weakness, without failing to hold accountable where there is an obligation to hold accountable. In this, the government needs your help, my fellow Tanzanians. Let us put in a joint effort, with strength and courage, and say ‘never again’ so it does not happen again.

Fellow citizens, as I followed the presentation of this report, I heard a sentence saying, “We want our Samia that we know,” as if when I came in, I was a different Samia and now I am a different Samia. I want to assure Tanzanians, I am the same Samia of 4R, I am the same one of 4R.

What I am asking for is your cooperation in implementing those R’s. I say, “One finger cannot kill a louse,” or “It takes two to tango.” Therefore, if you expect Samia alone to do it, it will not work. But if you give me great cooperation, my fellow citizens, we will reach where we are going.

I urge us all to unite to decide the fate of a better future of our nation for the benefit of this generation and future generations. I advise Tanzanians not to accept being manipulated to destroy our nation. Do not accept being provoked, whether by politicians, criminal activists, or people with hatred and selfish interests, in any way to disturb the thread of our peace.

Let us stand firm and in unity, we built the nation of the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanzania is ours. We have no other place at all. Therefore, if we build our nation, we will live in comfort. If we disturb our nation, we will continue to live as we are, and we will have endless problems.

After saying that, I wish you all the grace and blessings of Almighty God. Let us ask Almighty God to bless our nation, bless our leaders. May we be given wisdom, unity, and peace, which are our shields as Tanzanians. Blessed be Tanzania.

May the children of Tanzania be blessed, as we sing in our national anthem. Amen.

Amen, and thank you very much for listening!