Who planned Tanzania's election day violence? President Samia Suluhu gives her account

Speaking in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said intelligence reports showed the violence was “manufactured, funded and organised” by actors inside and outside the country with the intention of toppling the state. She described the events as “a broad project of evil” involving people who were fully aware of the plan, others who were misled politically, and some who were paid to join the chaos.

According to the President, the burning of police posts, government buildings and private businesses went far beyond lawful demonstrations. “This was not a protest. These were organised riots with a specific purpose,” she said.

Samia dismissed claims that opposition candidates were barred from participating in the election, saying they withdrew on their own to avoid defeat. She argued that the unrest was partly driven by internal divisions within opposition parties, not government interference.

Youth and foreign actors 

A large number of young people took part in the clashes, which Samia said reflected a lack of proper guidance and political awareness. She insisted many were mobilised under false promises rather than genuine grievances.

“Our youth had no reason to be in the streets; they were simply sent there and made to chant things that were not in their interest.”

She also accused unnamed foreign-based coordinators of supporting the unrest and criticised external pressure on Tanzania following the election, including the EU Parliament’s decision to freeze aid pending a human rights assessment.

Religious voices and governance

The president cautioned religious leaders not to overstep their constitutional roles amid rising religious commentary on the political crisis. “We will run this country by its Constitution and its laws,” she said.

Samia reiterated her commitment to constitutional reform but said the government would proceed gradually. She insisted that Tanzania’s stability remains the priority and that the state was right to intervene forcefully on election day.