President Samia Suluhu raised concerns over the scale and causes of post-election violence following the October 29 polls She questioned the motives of youths on the streets, urging a probe into the role of NGOs and opposition leaders in the unrest Samia called on the commission of inquiry to examine funding, incitement, and alternative ways political disputes could have been resolved
Speaking on Thursday, November 20, to the newly inaugurated commission of inquiry into the unrest, she said the scale of the disturbances was unprecedented in recent years and had shaken national confidence. Samia questioned the motives behind the protests, suggesting that some youths were paid to take to the streets.
She blamed certain non-governmental organizations (NGOS) and opposition groups for allegedly facilitating the demonstrations.
"The youths were taken to the streets to demand rights. We want to know which rights they felt had been denied and what exactly they were demanding when they demonstrated. We need to understand their purpose so we can properly investigate," she said.
She also criticised opposition leaders, directing the commission to examine remarks that may have incited violence.
Suluhu questions NGOs, opposition links to October 29 unrest
The president further called on the inquiry to explore the involvement of NGOs in the unrest, including both local and international organizations. She claimed that many of the youths who joined the protests were initially paid, raising questions about the source of the funds and their role in the violence.
"Most of them went to the streets because of the money they were paid. Where did the money come from? We must investigate this and understand its contribution to the unrest," she told the commission. Samia expressed concern about how political disagreements were being handled, questioning the methods used to voice dissent. She asked why disputes with the electoral commission or government could not be resolved through legal and peaceful channels, instead of deadly protests that cost lives and destroyed property worth millions.
