Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday claimed that a section of the youth who took to the streets during last month’s election-day protests had been paid to participate , as she announced the formation of a special commission to investigate the violence.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam while inaugurating the inquiry team, President Samia said preliminary reports indicate that some young people were mobilised using money before storming the streets on 29 October 2025, a day that has since drawn international attention over widespread unrest.
“The youth who went to the streets had been given money,” President Samia said. “We want to know where this money came from, who distributed it, and what exactly motivated these actions.”
The President’s remarks come amid growing global scrutiny. The United Nations says hundreds of people were killed during clashes between protesters and security forces, although the Tanzanian government has not released any official figures on fatalities or injuries.
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The protests, which erupted as Tanzanians awaited election results, quickly escalated into confrontations in several regions. Human rights groups have accused both the security agencies and political actors of contributing to the chaos.
President Samia has now mandated the newly formed commission to investigate the full chain of events , including:
- The cause and nature of the protests
- The rights that demonstrators claim were violated
- The role of political parties in fuelling or calming tensions
- The involvement of local and international NGOs
- Claims that youth were financially incentivised to join the unrest
The commission has been given three months to conduct interviews, gather evidence, and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations for accountability and reforms.
“As a nation, we must understand what happened, why it happened, and who was responsible,” President Samia said. “Only then can we move forward and ensure such events never recur.”
Human rights organisations have welcomed the formation of the commission but insist that its work must be transparent, independent, and inclusive to restore public confidence.
The developments mark one of the most consequential political moments of President Samia’s tenure, as Tanzania grapples with questions of justice, accountability, and the handling of election-related violence.
