Dodoma, Tanzania – November 14, 2025 – Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on Friday that her government will launch an official inquiry into the deadly unrest that followed her controversial re-election last month, which has drawn international calls for accountability.

Speaking at the opening session of Tanzania’s new parliament, Hassan expressed sorrow over the unrest and extended condolences to families affected by the crackdown.

“The government has taken the step of forming an inquiry commission to investigate what happened,” she said, marking her first conciliatory remarks since security forces violently dispersed nationwide demonstrations after the October 29 election.

Controversial Election and Deadly Crackdown

Hassan was re-elected with nearly 98 percent of the vote after her main rivals were barred from the race, prompting widespread protests. While exact figures remain unclear, Tanzania’s main opposition party claims hundreds of civilians were killed as troops clamped down on demonstrators. Authorities also imposed a nationwide internet blackout, complicating independent verification of casualties.

Calls for Human Rights Accountability

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the crackdown as involving grave human rights violations, including unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions.

“Authorities should promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently, and effectively investigate all killings by security agents and bring to justice those responsible,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, also urged Tanzania to account for missing persons and return the bodies of those killed.

Leniency for Youth Protesters

In her address, President Hassan indicated potential leniency for young people charged with treason and related offences, noting that many may have acted without intent to commit a crime.

“For those who seem to have followed the crowd and did not intend to commit a crime, let them erase their mistakes,” Hassan said, directing law enforcement to assess the level of offences committed by youths.

Path Toward Constitutional Reform

Hassan also acknowledged opposition demands, particularly from the Chadema party, emphasizing that constitutional reforms will be considered within the first 100 days of her new term to facilitate national reconciliation.