Tanzania president remorseful over internet shutdown on election day

Tanzania’s president addresses internet shutdown and postelection violence

DODOMA, Tanzania — Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has spoken out for the first time since the disputed October election regarding the six-day internet shutdown and the violence that followed.

President Hassan expressed sympathy towards diplomats and foreign nationals in Tanzania, promising to prevent such disruptions in the future.

Following a heavily contested election where opposition candidates were barred from running, President Hassan won with over 97% of the vote. The election led to widespread violence and a crackdown by authorities.

Blaming the unrest on foreigners, President Hassan pardoned many young individuals arrested during the violence, citing peer pressure as a factor.

Speaking to diplomats and international representatives in Dodoma, President Hassan assured them of their safety and vowed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Tanzania has initiated an inquiry into the postelection violence to understand the events that transpired and prevent such occurrences from happening again.

Foreign observers have criticized the election for not meeting democratic standards due to the exclusion of key opposition figures.