Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has spoken for the first time about the six day Internet shutdown that coincided with the country’s most violent postelection unrest in years. Her remarks came months after the disputed October vote that delivered her a landslide victory.
Addressing diplomats and foreign nationals in Dodoma, Hassan expressed sympathy for those who endured uncertainty and restricted services during the blackout. She pledged that her government would work to prevent such disruption from happening again.
Hassan secured more than 97 percent of the vote in an election where major opposition candidates were barred from running and the country’s main opposition leader remained in prison on treason charges. Rights groups reported that violence erupted on election day and continued for days as security forces cracked down, leaving hundreds dead while the Internet remained inaccessible.
The president attributed the unrest to foreign influence and announced pardons for hundreds of young people arrested during the chaos, saying they had acted under peer pressure.
Speaking before ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organizations, she sought to reassure the diplomatic community of their safety. She insisted that the government acted to protect constitutional order and safeguard citizens.
“To our partners in the diplomatic community and foreigners residing here in Tanzania, I express my sincere sympathy for the uncertainty, service restrictions and Internet shutdowns you experienced,” she said.
Hassan added that authorities would stay alert to ensure stability and avoid a repeat of the turmoil.
“I assure you that we will remain vigilant to ensure your safety and prevent any recurrence of such experiences,” she told the assembled diplomats.
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