DAR ES SALAAM – In a move that has drawn both hope and skepticism, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched a commission of inquiry into post-election violence, but framed its necessity with a controversial claim that some protesters were paid to “burn the country.”
The 11-member commission, inaugurated on Wednesday, is tasked with investigating clashes that occurred during the 2020 general elections and the subsequent by-elections of 2021. Its mandate is to identify the causes of the violence, assess the damage, and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
However, the formal proceedings were punctuated by the President’s personal and pointed allegations.
“I have my own thoughts, which I will keep to myself until you present your report,” President Samia told the commissioners. “But we heard that some people were paid to burn the country… Some people were given money to burn properties of others.”
She urged the commission to uncover the truth behind these claims, stating, “We want you to find out the truth about that. Who was paying them? Where did the money come from?”
A Stark Contrast to “Bulldozer” Politics
The launch of an inquiry represents a significant shift in tone from the administration of the late President John Magufuli, under whom the 2020 elections were held. Magufuli’s ruling CCM party won in a landslide, but the polls were marred by allegations of widespread irregularities, internet shutdowns, and a violent crackdown on opposition.
The main opposition party, Chadema, claimed at least 150 people were killed by security forces in the aftermath. The government at the time dismissed these claims and maintained a firm stance, with Magufuli earning the nickname “The Bulldozer” for his uncompromising style.
President Samia, who took office after Magufuli’s sudden death in March 2021, has been hailed internationally for her more conciliatory approach. Her policy of “Rudi Nyumbani” (Come Back Home) has led to the unbanning of several media outlets and a tentative re-engagement with the political opposition.
Mixed Reactions from Rights Groups and Opposition
Human rights advocates have welcomed the establishment of the commission as a potential step toward accountability.
“This is a long-overdue initiative,” said Fatma Karume, a prominent lawyer and rights activist. “For years, victims of political violence have had no recourse. If conducted impartially, this commission could begin a genuine healing process.”
However, the President’s specific comments about paid protesters have raised concerns that the inquiry’s scope could be prejudiced.
An opposition member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, questioned the framing. “Instead of focusing on the state-sponsored violence that everyone documented, we are now chasing ghosts of ‘paid protesters’,” the member said. “This feels like a way to shift blame from the security forces and the systemic issues that led to the protests in the first place.”
The commission, chaired by Judge Joseph Msambichaka, has been given six months to complete its investigation. Its findings will be keenly watched as a barometer of President Samia’s commitment to reforming Tanzania’s political space and delivering justice for past abuses.
Whether it uncovers a conspiracy of paid arsonists or addresses the deeper grievances of a polarized nation, the commission’s report will be a defining document for the “Samia era.”
