Suluhu launches probe into election chaos, blames opposition and NGOs

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially launched an independent commission of inquiry to investigate incidents of unrest during and after last month’s general election.

The commission has been tasked with uncovering the root causes of the violence, along with statements made by some opposition members that she says may have fueled the tensions.

President Suluhu has also directed the commission to examine the role of non-governmental organizations, both within and outside Tanzania.

Three weeks after Tanzania witnessed chaos that rocked the country, Suluhu presided over the swearing-in of members of an independent commission of inquiry to probe events before, during, and after the polls.

“Kiini cha tatizo ni nini? Lakini jambo lile lilipotokea vijana walingizwa kwa barabarani kudai haki. Tunataka kujua haki gani vijana hao wameukosa na kwa umoja wao wakaingia barabarani kuidai haki hiyo,” said Suluhu.

While acknowledging that chaos erupted and deaths were recorded, contrary to her previous statements that the election was peaceful, Suluhu pointed an accusing finger at opposition leaders.

“Tunapofanya hii kazi twende tukaangalie matamshi ya vyama vya upinzani. Wale waliokuwa wakisema lazima kuwake, hakukaliki, lazima aondoke, lazima kiwe hiki, uchaguzi hautafanyika. Na katika kufanya hivyo tuangalie uhusiano wa hicho chama na tume yetu ya uchaguzi,” said Suluhu.

The President wants the commission to determine what rights the youth believed were infringed, whether alternative avenues existed to address their grievances, and how authorities responded to the unrest.

“Role ya vyama vya kisiasa vilivyoingia kwa hio mgogoro, NGOs zetu, za ndani na za nje. Tunaambiwa vijana wale walioingia barabarani kudai haki walipewa fedha kwanza ndio waingie barabarani, na wengi wao waliingia barabarani kuingiana na fedha walizopewa. Je, fedha hizo zilitoka wapi?” Posed Suluhu.

The eight-member commission will be chaired by retired chief justice of Tanzania Mohammed Chande Othman.

The other members are former Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, diplomat and retired Ambassador Radhia Msuya, diplomat and retired Ambassador Lt. Gen. Paul Meela, retired Inspector General of Police Said Mwema, retired Ambassador David Kapya, and the former Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Dr. Stergomena Lawrence.

The opposition Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) has rejected the commission of inquiry, arguing that President Suluhu lacks the legitimacy to appoint it.

Party Vice Chairperson John Heche says that only a truly independent international body can carry out an impartial investigation into the alleged killings and human rights violations reported during the election period.

“Uteuzi wa tume hiyo hana uhalali wa kisiasa, kisheria na kimaadili. Alijipachika urais kupitia mchakato usio huru usio haki, usio wa uwazi, usio kithi viwango vya kidemokrasia. Na hata waangalizi wa kimataifa waliokuwa hapa wanasimama na usemo huu tunaousema,” said Heche.