Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu claims youth were paid to participate in the protests
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 20, 2025Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced a formal commission of inquiry into the violence that erupted after last month’s general election, claiming that some young people were paid to join protests that burned the country.
Speaking during the launch of the commission on Thursday, November 20, 2025, President Samia said the inquiry would examine the causes of the unrest, the role of political parties, and the involvement of local and foreign organisations.
“Lakini kwa ufupi nataka kusema yafuatayo. Kwanza, nadhani tume tunaitarajia ikatuangalizie sababu hasa iliyoleta kadhia ile. Lakini jambo lile lilotokea, vijana waliingizwa barabarani kudai haki,” she said.
“Tunataka kujua haki gani ambayo vijana hawa wameikosa na kwa umoja wao waliingia barabarani kuidai. Lakini jingine tunapofanya hii kazi ebu twende tukaangalie matamshi ya vyama vya upinzani. Wale waliokuwa wakisema lazima kiwake, hapakaliki, lazima aondoke, lazima kiwe hiki, uchaguzi hautafanyika. Kitu gani hasa kilichowaletea kufanya vile.”
The president also said the commission would consider whether the youths were genuinely seeking justice or acting under external influence. She highlighted the importance of clarifying the role of political parties and civil society organisations, both domestic and foreign, in the unrest.
She highlighted that many of the youths who joined demonstrations were motivated by money rather than genuine grievances. She emphasised the need to identify who paid the youths and where the money came from, describing it as a critical step in understanding the unrest.
“Lakini jingine tuangalie role, ya vyama vya siasa vilivyoingia kwa huo mgogoro. NGO zetu, za ndani na za nje, tunaambiwa ya kwamba vijana waliingia kudai haki. Walilipwa fedha kwanza, ndio wakaingia barabarani. Na wengi wao waliingia barabarani kwenda na hizo fedha walizopewa. Nje fedha zilitoka wapi? Kwa hivyo hayo tukayaangalie.”
UN urges Tanzania investigation
This announcement comes after the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Tanzanian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into reports of killings and serious human rights violations during and after the October 29 elections. Hundreds of protesters are believed to have died, though official figures have not been released.
President Samia has also instructed prosecutors to exercise leniency towards youths who were arrested during the protests, stressing that many may not have fully understood the consequences of their actions. She quoted the Bible, saying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The post-election unrest shocked a country that has long cultivated an image of calm and order. The violence followed months of simmering tensions, including the disqualification of major opposition candidates, stalled reforms, and political arrests.
Days before the commission announcement, President Samia unveiled a new Cabinet on November 17, 2025, with 27 ministers and 29 deputies. She also appointed former Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba as Tanzania’s new Prime Minister, following the disputed election. The reshuffle aims to consolidate her administration and strengthen governance after the unrest.